Game, set, match to Uttarakhand!

Anjali Nauriyal

The hosting of the first South Asian Games was a moment of pride for Uttarakhand as it was a chance to showcase its abundant natural beauty. The successful completion of the games, irrespective of certain glitches has enabled the state to become an example not only within India, but even internationally.

Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has often reiterated that the state government is committed to making all efforts to encourage sportspersons and sports in a big way in the state. This is bound to provide the youth of the state opportunities galore to vent their natural talent in a variety of games. For this state-of-the-art facilities have developed and more are in the offing.

Both the opening and closing ceremonies were the highlights of the mega event. Folk dancing, hoisting of games flag, ice skating speed demo and pageantry were all in evidence.

Nishank, while inaugurating the games, said, "Special emphasis has been given by the state to promote winter games in the state, especially by developing world class winter games infrastructure in Dehradun and Auli. The present winter games will help in boosting relations with South Asian countries and attract winter sports enthusiasts in India as well as from various parts of the world." He pointed out that Uttarakhand had already given well-known sports persons from the state, including ace shooter Jaspal singh Rana and cricketer M.S. Dhoni.

As many as 150 participants from India and the six other South Asian countries, including Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, participated in the games. The biggest participating delegation of 27 participants was from Pakistan. The Doon Ice Skating Rink in Raipur is a sportsman's delight. The man behind this wonder is Mike Jeschke, a Canadian expert, who stay in India for a couple of months to train Indians how to maintain the rink. The rink in Doon has the distinction of being the first artificial skating rink in entire South Asia.

Secretary Toursim and Sports Rakesh Sharma expressed confidence that the Winter Games 2011 would work as a launching pad for future winter sports in Uttarakhand and would attract a large number of sports persons and tourists from India and abroad.

A special exhibition was set up by Uttarakhand government to promote the hill state as a tourist attraction for adventure and winter sports as well as a land of floriculture and industries. The dignitaries who were present on the occasion included Madan Kaushik, Minister of Tourism, Uttarakhand Government, and Khajan Das, Sports Minister, Uttarakhand , Mayor of Dehradun, and several MLAs. Amongst the major highlights of the event were musical performances by well-known country music singer Bobby Cash and Sufi singer Kailash Kher and his troupe, Marchpast by teams on army band, Mangal Gayan by Basanti Devi Bhist, Bharatnatyam by Ami Parikh, cultural dances by folk artists of Uttarakhand, Himachal, Assam and J&K. Demo performance by Anup and Awani, speed demo by various skaters and an exhibition ice hockey match were the other highlights. The events at the Auli Ski Resort included Alpine Skiing Slalom - Men and Women; Giant Slalom - Men and Women; Nordic Skiing - Men 10 kms, 15 kms, 4x10 kms relay, and for Women 3 kms, 5 kms, 10 kms relay, apart from many others. Auli has been developed as the world class destination for winter games for skiing events. State-of-the-art ski slopes, artificial snow-making system, water storage for artificial snow-making system, chair lift system for ski sport and residential accommodation have been developed. Uttrakhand Governor Margaret Alva speaking at the closing ceremony in Doon said, "Special emphasis has been given by the state to promote the winter games in the state, especially by developing world class winter games infrastructure in Dehradun and Auli. The present winter games will help in boosting relations with South Asian countries and attract winter sports lovers from all over the world."