CHITRAL: A three-day snow sports festival concluded in Madaklusht village of Sheshi Koh valley on Sunday.

Different games involving local and non-local participants were organised, while a number of foreigners also showed up.

Held by Hindu Kush Snow Sports Club with the financial assistance of Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, GLOF-II Project, UNDP and ministry of climate change, the snow sports gala was said to be the first of its kind in Chitral.

Situated at a three-hour drive from the Chitral-Peshawar Road, the valley is covered by more than four feet of snow, giving ideal opportunity to the skiing and snow-skating lovers. A large number of people thronged the venue despite the perilous journey on the mountainous terrain.

Chitral deputy commissioner Naveed Ahmed gave away prizes to the players.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the event was held for the first time under the patronage of the government to help boost the winter tourism which has a tremendous potential in Chitral.

The organising club’s president Shahzada Hishamul Mulk said snow sports were not new to the people of Madaklusht, and they were now trained in different snow sports in vogue the world over.

He said the snow sports of giant slalom (a sort of alpine skiing), skiing with wooden planks and ice-skating were included in the three-day gala, attracting trained players from Swat and other hilly areas.

The local people said that the event brought to light the hitherto neglected and remote valley of Madaklusht with fabulous natural beauty to promote tourism. They said the event had helped them polish their capabilities in different snow sports.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2020