MINGORA: Young rock climbers of Swat have said that they want to become professional rock climbers to represent the country in world events in the sport.

They were sharing their views on the concluding day of a two-day rock climbing training course held at Bishbanr area in Swat which was jointly organised by Mountain Wilderness International’s Pakistan chapter and SPS Trekking Club.

As many as 18 young rock climbers from different areas of Swat received professional training on the steep rocks in the valley.

“We have also given an opportunity to the local residents because they live amid such gigantic rocks so that they not only learn the techniques of rock climbing, but also understand the importance of the rocks around them,” said the chief instructor and Mountain Wilderness, Pakistan chapter, president Afzal Sherazi who along with his team came from Lahore to conduct the training.

Say they want to become professional climbers to represent country in the world

He said that rock climbing was a sport which, apart from physical fitness, created leadership skills among the youth and that was why it became very popular in the world and its competitions were held in the Olympics, Asian and World championships.

Mohammad Taufeeq, another instructor from Lahore, said that it was dangerous and challenging sport so the youth must do it after getting proper training.

Sadam Hussain, a young rock climber from Kalam who was in the training, said that he would become a professional mountaineer and rock climber. “This is my second training of the rock climbing and I have passion for this sport. I believe that soon I will represent Pakistan in this sport on international level and earn pride for it,” he told Dawn.

Another young climber, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, said that initially he started with trekking with the aim to explore the hidden beauty of Swat valley.

“During our trekking we used to see high and steep rocks on which we could not climb so now we got this opportunity for which we are excited because now we learnt to climb the rocks. Due to this training we will explore the hidden beauties behind the high rocks in Swat,” he told Dawn.

The instructors said that Swat was the perfect playground for the rock climbing and the youth had amazing potential and if trained properly they could represent the country and win titles on international levels.

They also said that if the local colleges and university turned their focus on the sport and initiate it as co-curriculum activity the sport could be easily promoted in the youth.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2018