Skiers from France, Italy, Afghanistan, Nepal, Tajikistan and luxembourg, apart from about 70 skiers from India, are expected to participate in the International Ski Federation (FIS) race to be held at Auli near Joshimath in the next month. This was stated by officials during a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh at the secretariat late on Wednesday evening.
The Chief Secretary issued instructions to various officials after returning from a site inspection of Auli near Joshimath where the International Ski Federation (FIS) games are slated to be held during the coming month. The Chief Secretary chaired a meeting with officials of various departments concerned late on Wednesday evening in Dehradun after returning from Auli.
During the meeting presided over by Singh with officials of the Winter Games Federation of India, Winter Games Association of Uttarakhand, tourism department, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam and and the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Force, the roadmap of the FIS games was deliberated upon. Singh directed that three technical experts and one coordinator will remain at Auli till the event is organised.
Chairing the meeting, Singh said that technical experts should check all equipment, machines and basic requires and submit a report on the same to the tourism department soon. A certificate will also have to be provided regarding the equipment being in proper working condition. The Winter Games Federation of India and Winter Games Association of Uttarakhand will responsible for ensuring that all the arrangements for the FIS race are completed on time. The State administration is also monitoring the preparations consistently, he said. Stressing the negligence will not be tolerated at any level, the chief secretary said that the organising committee, technical committee and officials concerned should work in coordination.
Appointment of operator, groomer, daily review of snow making work, transporting, boarding and lodging of the participants and other issues were also discussed in detail during the meeting. Officials state that in addition to skiers from about half a dozen nations, about 70 skiers from India will also be participating in the event.
It is pertinent to mention here that the FIS race is being held for the first time in India with Uttarakhand being given the opportunity to host it during the month of January next year. Based on the points scored in the FIS race participants will be able to qualify for international sporting events like the Olympics.