MINGORA: Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Aasim Zaheer has said that he wants the children of Malam Jabba to represent Pakistan in international ski competitions after getting training in the recently established school in the area.

He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a ski training school in Malam Jabba on Monday. Young skiers, their parents and officials of army, air force and district administration participated in the event.

Air Marshal Aasim Zaheer, who is also president of Winter Sports Federation of Pakistan (WSFP), said that two children Abbas and Karim from Naltar, who were trained in Shah Khan Ski School, went to Russia to participate in the Winter Olympics representing Pakistan. “Both the children started training in Shaha Khan and were selected for the Winter Olympics on merit. They waved the flag of Pakistan in Russia,” he said.

He said that another training school was recently opened in Chitral where about 70 children were being trained while 70 children were being trained in Shah Khan Ski School.

“Competitions will be held between the skiers of all the three schools to bring out the highest talent to represent Pakistan at international level,” said Mr Zaheer. He urged the children of Malam Jabba to get proper education and work hard in ski practice. He said that the school would provide all equipments to trainees.

He assured the parents that the talented children would be inducted in Pakistan Air Force. He also requested Pakistan Army to induct talented skiers in army.

Rabia Bakhtwar, a representative of a group, said that it was an important day for the entire Swat as for the first time the dream of the Malam Jabba children came true and a ski school was inaugurated in the area.

“Children of Malam Jabba are naturally talented skiers. We want to provide a platform to them to improve their skills. I am sure that soon these children will play at professional level after getting training here,” she said.

Initially 60 children of Malam Jabba were admitted to the ski school where they would get proper training. They were also given all the required ski equipments.

The parents of the children said that it was their longstanding dream to set up a ski school in the area. They said that they were confident that their children would play for the country after getting training in the school.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2019