RAWALAKOT (Kashmir English): The fourth National Grass Skiing Championship concluded successfully at the scenic and high-altitude grassy hilltop of Toli Peer near Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, on Saturday.
With its 8,800-foot elevation and breathtaking landscapes, Toli Peer is emerging as a hub for national and international adventure sports.
The competition saw Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts (GBS) claiming the top position in the men’s category, while Madaklasht Winter Sports Club Chitral secured victory in the women’s category. Zahid Abbas of GB Scouts and Mantsha from Madaklasht were named the best players.
The championship, held from October 14 to 18, brought together over 104 male and female athletes representing nine teams from across Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.
Following two days of intensive training, participants competed in the Parallel Giant Slalom and Giant Slalom events.
During this time, a special training camp was also organized for local youth to learn the basic principles of grass skiing.
Organized by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Winter Sports Association, under the patronage of the Winter Sports Federation of Pakistan, the event was held in collaboration with the Sports and Tourism Department of Azad Kashmir and Right to Play Pakistan.
At the closing ceremony, Deputy Commissioner Rawalakot Sardar Umar Farooq, the chief guest, lauded the participants and organizers, noting that such events “encourage youth engagement in healthy activities and boost adventure tourism in the region.”
Aqeel Khurshid, Secretary General of the AJK Winter Sports Association, expressed gratitude to all players and partner institutions, adding that the growing popularity of grass skiing will “not only promote tourism but also strengthen the local economy.”
