India is all set to host First South Asian Winter Games in Uttarakhand from January 7-19 next year. Besides India, all other SAF nations, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are expected to participate in these games.
The skiing event for South Asian Winter Games 2011 will be held at Auli from January 7-12, while Dehradun will play the host to the Ice Skating and Ice Hockey events from January 14-19. The opening ceremony of the winter games will be held in Auli on January 7.
Randhir Singh, Secretary General, Indian Olympic Association said that, “India is extremely happy to host the first ever winter games at Uttarakhand. The state-of-the-art, newly built infrastructure will witness the best ever haul across SAF nations. Our main aim is to promote winter games and sporting culture and I am sure that these games will give a new boost to the future of winter sports in India.”
On the occasion, Brig. SS Patwal (Retd.), President of the WGFI said, “The infrastructure created at Auli for the skiing competition has got excellent slopes in terms of distance and vertical drop which has been homologated by the Federation of International Skiing. The artificial snow facility has given us a freedom to double the skiing time to 90 days. While the ice skating facilities at Dehradun are of world class standards and we have already tested the ice making there.”
“I am sure the 1st South Asian Winter Games will pave the way for budding winter sports enthusiasts and will offer an international exposure to the professional sportspersons. These games will also help position India on the international winter sporting calendar and will give a new boost to our sportspersons to train and participate in more international events.” added Brig. Patwal.
“Bharal”, the Himalayan blue sheep, has been chosen as the mascot of SAF Winter Games. Keeping in view its agility, strength, sure-footedness and adaptability for survival in the snow-covered high altitude areas, the basic qualities of a skier, the WGFI chose Bharal as its mascot for 1st South Asian Winter Games 2011.
