Kashmiri youth qualifies for Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

Ground Report | New Delhi: Beijing Winter Olympics 2022; Kashmiri alpine skier Arif Mohammad Khan has qualified for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The 30-year-old, who hails from the Hajibal Tanmarg region, has represented the country four times at the World Championships.

As per the reports, the Beijing Winter Olympics are scheduled to be held from February 4 to 20 next year (2022). Arif's family members expressed their happiness saying that he was very fond of skiing and always wanted to compete at the highest level, News-agency KNO reported.

"His success has made us proud. He has worked for many years," the family said. Arif's younger brother Mehraj ud Din Khan said that he is proud of his success and not only family but friends, neighbors, and relatives are also happy with this success.

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"We hope that he will continue to scale higher and win every competition. We sincerely hope that he will make the entire region and this country proud by doing his best at the Beijing Olympics," Mehraj said.

Arif's father Mohammad Yasin Khan expressed satisfaction and happiness on qualifying for the Winter Olympics, saying that he is a very hardworking person and always tries to overcome every obstacle.

Yasin said, "We are very happy so is everyone in India. I am very hopeful that he will do well and make the whole country proud. I am sure he will win a medal in the next Olympics."

Meanwhile, congratulatory messages started pouring in from every corner, including the top-ranked administrative officials of Jammu and Kashmir, soon after Arif qualified for the Winter Olympics.

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Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also congratulated Arif. "Congratulations to skier Arif Khan for qualifying for Beijing Winter Olympics 2022. It is a proud moment for the entire nation. @JKSportsCouncil to ensure that Arif is trained with world-class training facilities by best-in-class coaches and support staff All the best. I wish him the very best (sic) in sports," tweeted Sinha.

Notably, the Tangmarg region falls in proximity to the world-famous skiing destination Gulmarg which is host to many such events. Apart from this, Khelo India Games have also been organized at the national level.

“I am confirmed that this time Arif is the first Indian skier to secure a safe place in the Winter Olympics 2022. This is the biggest news of the decade for us as our skiers have directly participated in the spectacle of the biggest Winter Games in the world. Qualified for the post," WGAJK President Greater Kashmir quoted Mohammad Abas Wani as saying.

"He deserves it because he has been working hard for it over the years," he said.

“Over the years he has been the sole torch bearer of Indian skiing not only in J&K winter sports but across the globe. However, they have not been given due recognition and now they have silenced everyone except getting a place in the Olympics."

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