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Karim continues toiling for Winter Olympics

Skiing federation still uncertain about participation in Sochi event.

Natasha Raheel January 13, 2014

Karim, who finished on 15th position in Turkey in December and accumulated 90.4 points to qualify for the Winter Olympics, continued to strive for improving his game. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: Muhammad Karim, teenage skier and Pakistan’s hope for the Winter Olympics in Sochi this year, competed at the International Ski Federation (FIS) races in Iran on Monday.

Karim, who finished on 15th position in Turkey in December and accumulated 90.4 points to qualify for the Winter Olympics, continued to strive for improving his game.

He finished the event in Iran on 18th position in Shemshak, completing the slalom competition in two minutes and 2.6 seconds to gather 144.5 points.

However, he lagged behind in the second race that he finished in two minutes and 6.82 seconds to stand on 23rd position.

Pakistan’s first Winter Olympian Muhammad Abbas also accompanied Karim in Iran.

Abbas finished on 22nd spot in the first race with two minutes and 10.3 seconds, while he wrapped up the second race on 25th position in two minutes and 9.21 seconds.

The Ski Federation of Pakistan (SFP) secretary Mussarat Ali said that both athletes competed in Iran to get more practice before the Winter Olympics.

He said that Karim will be the key skier for Pakistan other than Mir Nawaz who qualified for the Olympics last year.

Both athletes worked hard and managed to earn enough points during the Turkey races in December, making them eligible for the Winter Olympic nominations from Pakistan.

All three skiers have proved themselves: Ali

Ali praised the performance of all three skiers.

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for Karim,” Ali told The Express Tribune. “He is young and has proved himself. He’s done all that he could.

“All three male skiers Nawaz, Karim and Abbas have done their job. Abbas will be the standby for Karim in our Olympics nominations. But the problem is that we have only a few days left.”

But he said that the question remained the same for the SFP as far as the Pakistan Olympic Association, Pakistan government and International Olympic Committee was concerned.

“We are told that everything is in the process by the authorities, but we have very few days now for Sochi,” said Ali. “We’ve done all that was required from our side.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2014.

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