1st South Asian Winter Games in Uttarakhand from Jan 7-19

Online, November 8, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Indian Olympic Association today announced the schedule for the 1st South Asian Winter Games to be held in Uttarakhand from 7th to 19th January, 2011. In addition to the host country 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 7th to 12th January, 2011, while Dehradun will play host to the Ice Skating and Ice Hockey events from 14th to 19th January, 2011. The opening and closing ceremonies of the winter games will be held on 7th and 19th in Auli and Dehradun respectively.

Shri. Randhir Singh, Secretary General, Indian Olympic Association announced 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."

Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Hon'ble Chief Minister, Uttarakhand & Chairman, Organising Committee Winter Games said, "Uttarakhand is extremely delighted to host first ever South Asian Winter Games. We were given a mandate to create infrastructure for these Games and we are happy that the newly built winter sporting facilities are at par with any global infrastructure. The games will also provide a huge boost to the tourism industry in the state. Uttarakhand is all set to offer the best ever experience, which will be cherished by all participants and visitors alike."

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.

As a part of the 30 days to go celebrations for South Asian Winter Games, Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI) will organise the coaching camps from December 7th to 16th at Auli for skiing and from December 14th to 23rd at Dehradun for ice skating and ice hockey. Winter sportspersons from SAARC countries are also invited to participate in these coaching camps.

In addition, there will be an Open Skiing Championship from December 18 to 23 in Auli and Open Ice Skating Championship from December 25 to 30 in Dehra Dun. Men, Women across senior, sub-junior and junior categories can showcase their skills at these Open Championships.

The South Asian Winter Games 2011, Auli Open Ski Championship will include three event categories: Alpine Skiing, Nordic and Snow board. The Alpine Skiing Competition will include Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G.

The South Asian Doon Open Ice Skating Championship will include Speed Skating (Men & Women); Figure Skating (Single - Man & Woman); Figure Skating (Pair - Man & Woman) and Ice Hockey (Men).