Pakistan’s hope at Sochi

Skiing is not a sport much in evidence in Pakistan, as most of the country is hot for much of the year and as flat as a chapatti, but there are places where winter sports are popular. Gilgit-Baltistan has an abundance of both mountains and snow, and is quietly producing a steady trickle of men and women who have alpine sports skills. Last year, a Pakistani woman climbed Mount Everest and this year, we have a lone contender representing Pakistan at the ongoing Sochi Winter Olympics. Muhammad Karim is a downhill racer, who learned to ski in his childhood using home-made wooden skis, and without the benefit of access to hi-tech ski facilities or quality tuition. His potential was spotted when the air force organised a competition and his career as a skier has blossomed since.

The Ski Federation of Pakistan is run by the air force and it is they who are supporting him in his Olympic endeavours. Karim is aiming to come in the top 50 in the Giant Slalom, the Blue Riband event for skiers everywhere and a huge physical challenge. He has earned his place after years of training. The ski federation paid for him to go abroad to train for the first time in 2006, and he has skied in Japan and Austria.

Karim knows that he may not win but that is not the point. He has qualified to compete against the best in the world and all Olympians, whatever their discipline, are at the top of their game. He has battled against the odds because winter sports have been hard-hit by militancy and the mountains remain dangerous for reasons other than the inherent risks run by skiers and alpinists. Karim is only the second Pakistani ever to compete in the Winter Olympics and we wish him well. He may not be bringing home a medal, but he — and us — can be proud that he participated before a global audience.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th,  2014.

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