PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: Winter Olympian Muhammad Abbas is looking forward to his first Europe tour from February 15, as the 26-year-old from Gilgit, will go on this venture with two other skiers Mohammad Karim and Mir Nawaz Junior.
Abbas became the first Pakistani in 2010 to represent the country in the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. However, the athlete has only participated in the local tournaments since then.
Mohammad Karim and Mir Nawaz Junior will be the two other skiers with him, who will participate in five tournaments in Europe and one in Asia to earn at least 140 points for their qualification for the Winter Olympics next year in Sochi, Russia.
“I can’t wait to ski in the international events, it’s about time,” Abbas told The Express Tribune. “I would do anything to participate in the Olympics again. There is a reason why we skiers would get out and train in -20 degree centigrade temperatures.”
Abbas, who won a gold medal for his team Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) Championship, firmly believes that he will also clinch the national championship that starts from February 11.
“We have packed our bags for Poland,” he said. “The European Cup takes place in various cities so we’d be travelling a lot. After that I’m looking forward to the Russian event because I did really well the last time I qualified for the 2010 Olympics. Giant Slalom is my territory; I know I’m still quick enough to beat others, my strength is still there.”
For Abbas, the real battle would be his age. He said that skiing is all about strong feet, and most of the skiers tend to go downhill after they cross 27 years.
Abbas, who began skiing at the age of seven in Naltar, said that the best way of practicing is skiing on a wooden board and that’s where his natural technique comes from.
“A wooden board is tougher to handle, it requires more strength and one has to be very accurate with the movement. It’s the best tool for me. It took me through to the Olympics so I’m sticking to it for practicing.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 11th, 2013.
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Abbas kareem and mir nawaz have done a great job in the skiing field with the help of ski federstion .they have been shining since long.they need further appreciation and proper coverage from media so that others msy aldo come forword .