Beijing Games: Skier Arif Khan Sets Out With Big Dreams
Srinagar, Jan 25: Alpine Skier Arif Khan, who has qualified for the upcoming Winter Games is working hard at the famous Gulmarg Ski Resort before heading to Beijing.
Arif, who is the lone skier representing India, has termed his selection a “dream come true”. “Skiing is my life, skiing is my passion,” Arif who secured his place in the Games during the Dubai qualifying event, told the media in Gulmarg on Tuesday.
He said he could not make it to the Olympics earlier despite hard work. He was supposed to go Switzerland but could not due to financial issues.
“This time as there is availability of budget and things started moving…Everything is going smoothly…,” said Arif still keeping his fingers crossed. “I have come here in Gulmarg for the final workout session and to give some time to the young Kashmiri skiers so that they can also compete at national level in future,” he said as he interacted with youngsters.
When asked about the forthcoming competition, Arif said “the competition always remains tough, the slopes there are altogether different. They are prepared and artificial slopes.” “I have undergone training in Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Montenegro and Dubai besides several other countries on these artificial slopes,” he said.
He said one has to give his best to achieve a place in an event like Olympics. “What I did was my passion and dream,” Arif said. “If Kashmir too can get artificial slopes, there would be nothing like it. It would be good for the economy and the name of the state and country will get recognition among top ski destinations,” he added.
He was happy that parents now are supporting children to undertake alpine skiing as a sporting career.
Arif said: “Every parent now wants their children to be successful in their respective fields. My father, who was also a skier and was part of the tourism sector, brought me into this field at the age of four and contributed everything for me to get this far.” “There was not so much expectations due to the ground situation but my father struggled and brought me up to this level,” he added.
“It is evident now that other parents are getting inspired to bring their children in this field,” he said. Arif said to become an Alpine skier one needs a lot of training as a professional athlete. The requisite infrastructure was not available in Gulmarg. However, he said the basic infrastructure available has helped him a lot.
“I had to move to other places for professional training, for which huge funds were required. As this sport is very costly it requires support. “One can earn good once successful, but to reach that spot one has to cross many hurdles.”
About Gulmarg, Arif said “For tourism the infrastructure is fine and for international free skiing and free ride it is also good. “But the need of the hour is to prepare one or two slopes that could bring it up to international standard.” He hopes everything will be done to make Gulmarg a complete international event venue.
