Himachal ski and snowboard championships begin at Hamta slopes January 31, 2021: With participation of nearly 200 athletes from the state, the two-day-long Himachal ski and snowboard championships have started at Hamta slopes near Manali on Sunday. As Solang and other slopes of the state have no snow this year, the races are being conducted at Hamta at altitude of about 10,000ft for the first time. Junior and senior alpine, cross-country skiing and snowboarding races in different categories are being organised. The best performing athletes will be selected for senior and junior national championships starting in a few days. Cabinet minister Ram Lal Markanda inaugurated the tournament and said winter sports infrastructure will be strengthened in Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts. “Both the districts have huge possibilities in winter sports. Performance of our athletes is outstanding. We shall soon host national championships,’ he said. Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association (HPWGA) is organising this tournament in the wilderness, away from Manali town. Cabinet minister Govind Thakur will attend the tournament for prize distribution ceremony on Monday. HPWGA president Ludar Thakur said, “Snow conditions on slopes are perfect for races. Unfortunately we spent the whole January in wait for snowfall. We searched for alternate slopes at Lahaul and around Manali and finally selected this slope. We plan to maintain this slope in the future as well. Now we are eying the national tournament at Auli and Gulmarg.” HP Skiing and Snowboarding Competitions from Jan 31 January 27, 2021: As athletes are waiting for good snowfall on the slopes of Himachal for two months, the professional skiers will now throng Hamta valley at an altitude of about 10,000ft for senior and junior skiing and snowboarding championships on January 31 and February 1. Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association (HPWGA) had lost hopes to host national
Himachal ski and snowboard championships begin at Hamta slopes January 31, 2021: With participation of nearly 200 athletes from the state, the two-day-long Himachal ski and snowboard championships have started at Hamta slopes near Manali on Sunday. As Solang and other slopes of the state have no snow this year, the races are being conducted at
The slopes of Solang valley near Manali, which are covered with three feet of snow, have come alive with nearly 200 athletes of the state who have thronged here for Himachal Skiing and Snowboarding Championships. The two-day-long men and women competitions in different categories started on Saturday amid snowfall. The event was inaugurated by BJP leader Dhaneshwari Thakur in the presence of many other officials. A large number of people thronged Solang to enjoy the races. The championships are being hosted by Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association (HPWGA) under guidance of Ski and Snowboard India. The top athletes will qualify for national level championships that will be held at Auli from February 7 to 11. “Races in cross-country, cross-country sprint, slalom, and giant slalom are being conducted in both male and female categories. Athletes in both junior and senior categories are performing well. As not all athletes can represent state in national cup, we are choosing the best. Next time we are looking to host the national cup. As the skiing infrastructure is weak here, Himachal always misses in hosting Asian winter games,” HPWGA president Ludar Chand Thakur said. The officials said the state government has promised to develop the skiing infrastructure in the state which in present is in dilapidated condition. Without ski bar lifts, snow beating machines, snow-making machines and without leveling, the slopes of Narkanda and Kufri in Shimla and Solang in Manali disappoint the athletes. Although Solang slopes have hosted many national competitions, the bumpy slope with no facility makes skiing and snowboarding very challenging. Roopu Negi, secretary general of Ski and Snowboard India, the apex body for skiing and snowboarding in India, said the athletes are full of enthusiasm and are performing well. “Most of the athletes are complaining about basic amenities. Climbing up
The slopes of Solang valley near Manali, which are covered with three feet of snow, have come alive with nearly 200 athletes of the state who have thronged here for Himachal Skiing and Snowboarding Championships. The two-day-long men and women competitions in different categories started on Saturday amid snowfall. The event was inaugurated by BJP
Over 200 athletes from 23 skiing and snowboarding clubs of Himachal will throng slopes of Solang valley near Manali on January 25 to compete in different winter sports competitions. The slopes of Solang which are crying for government attention have not seen a single event this season. A national championship was held here last year, but as national competitions will be held at Auli in February, Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association (HPWGA) is organizing a state level event only. “All the clubs of Himachal have agreed to participate in the competitions in both men and women category. The top athletes in senior and junior categories will be shortlisted for national event at Auli. The slopes are covered with thick blanket of snow. We are expecting more snowfall before the event,” HPWGA president Ludar Thakur said. Ludar, who is also former coach of Indian skiing team, said, the association is working hard to provide a platform for winter sports athletes so that they could win medals for the country in international events. “We are giving equal opportunities to all the athletes but only deserving ones will represent the state and the country. We have a large number of athletes who have represented India at the world championships and Olympics. The only problem that our athletes face is lack of skiing infrastructure. We are also working hard on strengthening skiing infrastructure,” Thakur added. This is surprising that Manali has produced a large number of winter sports athletes who have represented India in Olympics and other world championships but the sole skiing slope of Manali at Solang is in dilapidated condition. The unmaintained, natural slope has no working ski lift and skiing is done on snow without grooming snow in absence of snow beating machine. The slope has no snow making machine leaving
Over 200 athletes from 23 skiing and snowboarding clubs of Himachal will throng slopes of Solang valley near Manali on January 25 to compete in different winter sports competitions. The slopes of Solang which are crying for government attention have not seen a single event this season. A national championship was held here last year,
With an aim to encourage children towards snow sports and conserve environment to preserve the snow, the 9th World Snow Day (WSD) was organized at slopes of Solang valley near Manali on Sunday. A large number of children and youth congregated at Solang slopes and enjoyed skiing and snowboarding for the whole day. The children were given free lessons on skiing. The tourists were also given chance to try hand at the sport. On the call of the International Ski Federation (FIS), the night edition of World Snow Day saw 363 events and actions take place in 45 countries on Sunday. Ski and Snowboard India secretary general Roopu Negi said FIS WSD was celebrated at Solang in presence of a large number of children and youth under thfe aegis of Indian Olympic Association secretary general Rajeev Mehta. “We are encouraging children and their families to come to the snow. India is performing well in winter sports. The world has now recognized our potential. Although we have not achieved much in international events but we are confident that we shall get recognition among top athletes of the world soon in future. As children are the future of winter sports, the purpose of celebrating snow day is to encourage them to show interest in winter sports,” he said. Most of the ski resorts and clubs allowed free entry to skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts on occasion of World Snow Day. Besides encouraging children to experience fun of snow, they were told about the health benefits of winter sports. They were also told that how important is to conserve the environment to preserve the snow. Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association (HPWGA) president Ludar Thakur said that FIS president Gian Franco Kasper had sent a message that all the skiing clubs, federations and state associations
With an aim to encourage children towards snow sports and conserve environment to preserve the snow, the 9th World Snow Day (WSD) was organized at slopes of Solang valley near Manali on Sunday. A large number of children and youth congregated at Solang slopes and enjoyed skiing and snowboarding for the whole day. The children
MANALI: As the slopes of Solang have been receiving good snow, Manali is all set to host the National Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Championships from February 2. The championships were postponed due to no snowfall in January. As many as 11 national teams and many skiing clubs from Himachal are taking part in the competitions. The organizers have received some individual entries as well. The championships were earlier being organized along with national winter carnival of Manali from January 2 to 6. As the slopes had inadequate snow, the races were postponed. Lack of snowfall had forced organizers to cancel the event last year as well. Solang slopes are still covered with over 60cm of snow and more snow is expected to fall in coming week. After being assured of availability of enough snow between February 2 and 6, the organizers have given nod to the tournament. Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association (HPWGA) and Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) are organizing the event under the guidelines of Indian Olympics Association (IOA). Purpose of the championships is to provide athletes with a national platform and promote winter tourism in Manali. ABVIMAS joint director Ashwani Kumar said a total of five competitions — both in men and women categories — will commence in the championships. “Slalom, joint slalom, ski cross, snowboarding slalom and snowboard cross races will be held. Besides trophy and certificates, cash prize of Rs 25,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 would be awarded to the top three winners in each category. Minimum age of the participant should be 16-year. The ski kit should be at par with international standards. Preparations are being done on war footings,” he said. HPWGA president Roopu Negi said the championships will commence according to IOA technical guidelines. “IOA will appoint technical delegate and observers.
MANALI: As the slopes of Solang have been receiving good snow, Manali is all set to host the National Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding Championships from February 2. The championships were postponed due to no snowfall in January. As many as 11 national teams and many skiing clubs from Himachal are taking part in the competitions.
