Kashmiri skier to represent India in World C’ship

Kashmir, known for producing some of the finest skiers that the Country has ever seen, has now got another hero in shape of Arif Khan, who is all set to participate in the World Ski Championship 2015, scheduled to be held at Colorado, USA in February.
Arif is a known face in ski arena of India but there is little knowledge about his skiing antics among the local masses. He will be the only Kashmiri to represent the country in the Colarado World event. The other members of team include two girl skiers — Anchal and Varsha besides Arif Khan, Himanshu and Hira Lal. The team will be accompanied by Ludar Thakur and Roop Chand Negi – the boys’ and girls’ coaches respectively while the President of Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI) Colonel JS Dhillon and Secretary General Roshan Thakur would also be with the team.
It is for the second time that Arif would be playing in a World event. Earlier he had participated in the World Ski Championship held at Austria in year 2013. “I am the only skier from Kashmir to be part of the Indian contingent. It will be my second outing in a World event and I am proud of that,” Arif told.
Though Kashmir has produced some of the stalwarts in Skiing, like Gul Mustafa Dev, Shabir Wani and GM Hajam, but the achievements of Arif during past four years have put him ahead them all. His antics and almost 72 international outings make him the new age ski hero of Kashmir.
Arif says he has been working hard since his childhood to achieve the targets of his favorite sport and he is yet to achieve his ultimate milestone. “I am the only Kashmiri alpine skier who has represented India for 72 times in international alpine skiing events in 26 different Countries around Europe, Asia, New Zealand since 2005,” Arif claims. Despite having achieved many millstones, Arif is not satisfied and wants an entry into the Winter Olympic Games.
“Ask any player what his/her ultimate aim is. They will tell you it is the Olympics. Similarly my ultimate aim is to take part in Winter Olympic Games. I am working hard and want to qualify for the 2018 South Korea Games,” he said. About his preparations he said, “I am currently training in Gulmarg, but i hope to go for some International races in Iran before I enter in the Worlds big event with my team”.
Indian team will leave for USA on February 8, and take part in the technical events, although the speed events are starting on February 3.
However Arif laments the inadequate training facilities saying currently there is no infrastructure for Pre-World Cup Championship practices available in the Country. “The lone ski slope of Manali at Solang has no lift facility. Neither has it snow grooming facility,” he said.
The FIS Alpine World Ski Championships 2015 at Vail and Beaver Creek in Colorado, United Sates, is scheduled to be held from 2 to 15 February.