Restricted opportunity: In ski resort, talent hampered by unavailability of gear
Though the winter sports festival at the snowy peaks of Malam Jabba is attracting a considerable number of skiers and tourists, many have expressed concern over the unavailability of proper skiing equipment at the popular ski resort.
Muhammad Ali, 17, a physically impaired skier, said skiing is his passion and he has practised considerably over the past few years at Malam Jabba to improve his skill, but the unavailability of professional skiing equipment has kept him from excelling at the sport.
“I would come here every winter to see national and international skiers perform,” said Ali; however, with his paltry income, he said he could not afford expensive skiing equipment which kept him from taking on the slopes. But that did not deter him for long and now he is no more a mere spectator. For the past two years, Ali has been skiing using hand-made wooden planks and now aspires to participate in international skiing events to prove his mettle.
“In the beginning I used to fall often and would get mocked a lot by the people watching me, but I gradually got hang of it,” said Ali. He said there are many talented people in Swat valley who can excel at the sport but they do not have the means to afford even the most basic skiing equipment. Meanwhile, he said many players cannot participate in professional skiing competitions due to unavailability of proper sports gear.
Ali said that if the government makes professional skiing equipment available in the area at reduced rates, Pakistan would have a considerable number of competent professional skiers.
He wishes that more skiing competitions were held at Malam Jabba and hopes to represent Pakistan internationally in the near future.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2012.
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Swatis have history of peace and serenity but since the either militants forces entered it, they have destroyed it. we were far better before merger. Who have introduced AK-47, everyone knows about it.
@Ch Allah Daad: Shane on you. We have Been given weapons by your watan k sajeelai jawano
Skiing equipment are not available in Pakistan and Ak-47 are openly available. who is responsible?
@ CH Allah Daadm .the AK-47 were introduced and installed there by a planned way. Swatis are not terrorists. it is a game
There are hundreds of thousands AK-47 in Swat valley and each AK- 47 costs over Rs.50,000. and they cannot afford ski equipment.