Preparations underway for National Winter Sports 2010 in Manali
By ANIWednesday, February 3, 2010
MANALI - Himachal’s hill town of Manali is all set to play host to the National Winters Sports 2010, at the world-famous slopes of Solang Nala in mid-February.
The gala event assumes significance, as it is being organized after a decade. It will be a part of the winter carnival.
Preparations are underway to ensure a successful hosting of the event.
The event will see participation of 18 registered winter game clubs, associations along with teams from States like Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, the Indian Army and the Indian Navy.
Meanwhile, the local residents are enthusiastic about their participation in the sporting event and practicing hard to perform to best of their potential and ensure winning the event.
“Last year, we could not practice because of less snowfall. This time, since there has been ample snow, we will try to win. This time we are focusing on skiing.” said Dev Thakur, a participant for National Winters Sports 2010.
Local players opine there is need to organize more of such events for the popularity of the winter games.
“In Manali, there has been good snowfall. There are a few places in India where there is snowfall and infrastructure for winter games. So there should be more events like this,” said Nisha Chauhan, a participant in National Winters Sports 2010.
Winter carnival was started by the former Chief Minster of Himachal Pradesh Y.S.Parmar to boost snow sports as well as culture of the region and Tourism industry of the state in the year 1977.
It was started with snow sports in the morning followed by cultural competition at Manu Rang Shala of Manali town but later on skiing competition was called off. By Prem Thakur (ANI)
