International Mountains Day: Adventure lovers climb to prove their mettle

Rock climbing competition attracts over 300 extreme sports enthusiasts.

ISLAMABAD: More than 300 students proved their climbing skills at a competition held at Lake View Park on Sunday.

The competition, organised in connection with the International Mountains Day, aimed at highlighting opportunities and constraints in mountain development in the country. The competition aimed to promote adventure sports like climbing and mountaineering among the Pakistani youth. There were three categories for climbers: under 12, under 15 and under 18 years of age.

The participating students came from The City School (Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Nowshera, Peshawar), Beaconhouse, Multi Adventure Club, NUST, International Islamic University Islamabad, Falcon Club, Chenab Nagar and Sui Northern Gas.

“I am happy to participate in such an adventurous sport and it has piqued my interest in the natural beauty of our country,” said Parveen, a participant. She said Pakistan is popular due to its high mountain ranges and the government should promote them internationally.

The Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) Managing Director Mir Shahjahan Khetran said that the event was an attempt to create awareness amongst the youth of Pakistan about the importance of mountains and promotion of tourism as well as sports in the country.

He appreciated the youth for their avid interest in tourism and adventure sports. He added that such extra-curricular activities would help the students to attain the success in their future.

The event was organised by the PTDC and the Adventure Club of Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2011.