New Delhi, March 10: Two-time Winter Olympian Arif Mohammad Khan has urged the sports ministry to develop proper skiing infrastructure in Gulmarg so that Indian athletes can train for global competitions and aim for medals at the Asian level.
Arif, who achieved the country’s best show in men’s slalom race at the recently-concluded Winter Olympics in Italy, said India need at least one fully developed training facility on the slopes of Kangdoori in Gulmarg, with a long competitive season, to help the country’s top skiers prepare for international events.
“We need at least one fully-developed infrastructure in Gulmarg that can function for a good five months,” he said.
A full season of “at least five months till April-end” is needed to train and compete on the slopes of Kangdoori in Gulmarg to prepare Indian athletes, said Arif, who recently finished 39th in Milano-Cortina Games.
“I can guarantee we will win medals at the top Asian level in 10-15 years,” added Arif.
Arif’s how bettered Kishore Ratna Rai’s performance by 10 places that was achieved at the 1988 Winter Olympics, Calgary.
Arif also hailed the government’s flagship winter sports initiative.
“Six editions of the Khelo India Winter Games have provided an incredible platform to athletes but now we have to look at ways of winning medals at major global competitions,” he said.
Arif further said his performance had helped put India “in the global ski map”.
He said the country now needs to invest more strategically in winter sports infrastructure and support systems.
Since 2020, all six editions of the Khelo India Winter Games have been held in Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir, while Leh in Ladakh has been hosting the ice events since 2024.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has already announced that the 2027 edition of the Khelo India Winter Games will be expanded into a 15-day event in a bid to develop Gulmarg as a global winter sports destination.
Arif, who learnt his skiing on the slopes of the Pir Panjal mountains, welcomed the plan, saying combining sports with tourism could boost winter sports in the country.
The 36-year-old also said his Winter Olympics result should inspire youngsters to take up winter sports seriously.
Arif is currently training three young skiers – two from Jammu and Kashmir and one from Himachal Pradesh – and believes the country has enough talent in the hill regions. (PTI)
