National skiing event to start next week

Saadia Khan Cup to feature eight teams this year.

KARACHI: The National Skiing Women Championship Saadia Khan Cup began in Naltar with top athletes like Amina Wali and Ifrah Wali taking part.

Ski Federation of Pakistan (SFP) Secretary Mussarat Ali said that the skiers have reached Naltar, where they will train on the slope before the competitions begin from January 22.

The national championship will feature teams from Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, Higher Education Commission, Alpine Club of Pakistan, Pakistan Air Force, Army and defending champions Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Scouts.

Aminah and Ifrah recently represented Pakistan in Turkey during the International Ski Federation races, where they were looking to get enough qualification points for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Despite the sisters finishing bottom in the international races, the SFP said the experience would help the female skiers and encourage others to join the sport.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2014.

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