Two Kashmiri girls to represent India in International Ski tourney

When Shabista Shabir and Sabiya Nabi were selected in the team to represent India in the prestigious Junior Asian Alpine Ski Championships in Iran, little did they realize that their journey to glory would be full of struggle and hardships.

For young girls, the financial background came a cropper as they struggled to acquire the specialized skiing equipments for the tourney. Enter tourism department, the girls were provided specialized ski sets and other gears at the last minute so that they could live their dreams.

“We had to get it from Europe. It costs more than Rs 1 lakh each. They required two pair each. Every race — Slalom and Giant Slalom –they require a separate pair. Plus it was to be procured as per their size. Without FIS approved equipment they could not participate. I had no mandate but as a goodwill gesture we intervened and purchased it”, said Mahmood A Shah, Director Tourism Kashmir.

Shabista Shabir and Sabiya Nabi are part of the seven member team that will represent India in the Asian Junior Asian Alpine Ski Championships in Iran. India is fielding its contingent comprising of boys and girls who are born between 1993 and 2001 in the Championship.

The selection …read more