Ski and Snowboard India (SSI), the governing body of winter sports in India, has been recognized as “full member” of the International Ski Federation (FIS), the apex body for international winter sports. SSI has also qualified for one vote in the International Ski Congress. The officials of Ski and Snowboard India on Wednesday received a letter from the FIS president Gian Franco Kasper and secretary general Sarah Lewis to confirm that “Ski and Snowboard India is a full member of the FIS and qualifies for one vote at the International Ski Congress.” SSI secretary general Roop Chand Negi said, “This is a proud moment for the country, especially the winter sports athletes of the country. Finally we have been recognized as a permanent member of the FIS. The skiing remains dominated by European, American and some of the Asian countries where winter games infrastructure is very strong. As more and more athletes are taking interest in winter games in India, and our government is taking winter sports seriously, we are also improving our winter sports infrastructure. For some time, we are being treated equally on international platform.” Earlier, Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI), established in 1984, was the governing body for winter sports in India. It was an affiliated member of FIS since 1988. Following many discrepancies, it remained suspended for many years. For not complying with government’s directive to conduct fresh election of the body, WGFI was de-recognized by Sports Ministry in 2018 under provisions of National Sports Development Code of India, 2011. Recognized by Indian Olympic Association, the Ski and Snowboard India (SSI) was formed as new apex body for skiing and snowboarding. “With support from the Indian Olympic Association, sports ministry and all state associations, SSI has made a clean image amongst FIS and other national
Ski and Snowboard India (SSI), the governing body of winter sports in India, has been recognized as “full member” of the International Ski Federation (FIS), the apex body for international winter sports. SSI has also qualified for one vote in the International Ski Congress. The officials of Ski and Snowboard India on Wednesday received a
Skiers and snowboarders from Army Sports Control Board (ASCB) have beaten other athletes in national alpine skiing and snowboarding championships commenced at Solang slopes of Manali. The races in five categories ended on Tuesday evening while prize distribution ceremony will be held on Wednesday. Team Army remained overall winner of the tournament. Asif Aziz from Army bagged first prize in giant slalom. Devender Gurung from Army and Atul Bhatt from Uttarakhand finished at second and third places. In women category, Sandhya from team Himachal finished at first place while Aanchal Thakur and Varsha from Himachal finished at second and third places respectively. Men’s snowboarding too was captured by Indian Army. Vivek Rana, Rigzin Norboo and Thakur B Ale, all from Army, finished at first, second and third position respectively. Clocking lowest time, Avatar Singh from Army was announced the winner of snowboard cross category. Rinku from Himachal and Tim Bahadur Chhetri from Army finished at second and third positions respectively. In slalom category, skier from Army, Devender Gurung, won the race after defeating top 20 skiers who had qualified for the final race. Sunil Kumar from Army finished at second place. Santosh Kumar from team Himachal had to satisfy with third position. In women slalom, Sandhya Thakur from team Himachal won the first prize. Aanchal Thakur and Varsha Devi from Himachal finished at second and third position respectively. In ski free style too Army team stumped all the athletes. Army’s Sunny Kumar bagged the first prize. Bilal Ahmed from team J&K finished the race at second position and Jai Singh from team Uttarakhand finished at third place. In women free style ski, Varsha Devi and Sandhya, both from Himachal finished at first and second place respectively, while Ankita from team Delhi finished the race at third position. Nearly 100 athletes,
Skiers and snowboarders from Army Sports Control Board (ASCB) have beaten other athletes in national alpine skiing and snowboarding championships commenced at Solang slopes of Manali. The races in five categories ended on Tuesday evening while prize distribution ceremony will be held on Wednesday. Team Army remained overall winner of the tournament. Asif Aziz from
Himachal Pradesh may get a chance to host the South Asian Winter Games at its Solang slopes in Manali if state government shows its interest, an official from Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said. First South Asian Winter Games were organized at Auli and Dehradun in January 2011. A total of seven countries including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Bangladesh had participated in the event organized by IOA and Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI). IOA now plans to give chance to Himachal and Kashmir to conduct the games. “We are in favour of giving chance to Solang and Gulmarg. I personally favour Himachal as the athletes here have talent but slopes are neglected,” IOA convenor Rakesh Sharma said. He added that Gulmarg is still in the race. “South Asian Winter Games at Solang slopes are possible only if Himachal government shows interest in it. Solang is beautiful. Unlike most of the slopes of the world where skiing is mostly dependent on snow-making machines, Solang gets good natural snow. The only setback is weak infrastructure here which is needed to be improved by government. If money is the problem, I assure government of possible help from IOA,” he said. Proper grooming of the slopes, installation of chairlifts, deployment of snow making machines as a back-up and requirement of snow beating machines is mandatory for organizing big winter sports events. Unfortunately, none of these are available at Solang. Skiers are using the natural slopes after natural snowfall. These days Solang’s rough slopes of with bumpy surface are hosting national level alpine skiing and snowboarding races. Besides skiing and snowboarding, ice skating and ice hockey are parts of the SAF Games. Manali has no ice skating rink for both the events. Sharma suggested state government through local MLA and bureaucrats
Himachal Pradesh may get a chance to host the South Asian Winter Games at its Solang slopes in Manali if state government shows its interest, an official from Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said. First South Asian Winter Games were organized at Auli and Dehradun in January 2011. A total of seven countries including India, Pakistan,
