First Pakistani winter olympian

Meet Muhammad Abbas, 25 years of age, serving in Pakistan Air Force, native of Naltar village, Gilgit - Baltistan and the first Pakistani to qualify and take part in World Winter Olympics. He took part in the Alpine Skiing - Men's Giant Slalom category of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver, Canada. In this event one has to ski between sets of 56-70 poles spaced at a distance from each other. Abbas finished 79 out of a 103 contestants out of which only 81 were able to finish the course. His time was 3 minutes 20 secs. Gold was taken by a Swiss skier Carlo Janka who finished in 2 minutes 37 secs. His story is one of sheer passion to play the game and not caring about winning or loosing. He was just happy to be the first Pakistani to participate in winter Olympics and knew it would take a lot to be in the league for a medal but he is ready for the hard work required none the less in days to come. You would not believe that this young man started skiing in his village by tying wooden planks to his rubber boots.

He first started skiing in 1995 in his village, Naltar which is the top ski resort of Pakistan. The local slope was only 500 meters. He skied on it over and over again as he became proficient in skiing on the skis made by his dad out of pine wood. He was extra ordinarily lucky as his talent was recognized by Mr. Zahid Farooq who was serving in PAF and worked with Pakistan ski federation. He was then picked up by the ski federation to be trained. At 17 he was sent of to Japan for a 15 day training of slalom from a specialist. Abbas only attended a handful of small events each year. He attended events like military and police giant slalom race , Switzerland and entry-league FIS competition, Iran. More funds were needed to give him proper chance to hone his skills and prove himself.

Mr. Farooq rounded up some more money which proved enough to send Abbas and seven other to Austria in 2009 for an intensive 6 week crash course in slalom. Abbas showed real promise here. He improved himself by leaps and bounds and managed to finish 8th in a race in Lebanon in March 2009 which enabled him to accumulate enough points to qualify for winter olympics, only one in the group to do so.

He now has two sets of atomic skis, one for training and one for competition. He maintains, waxes and tune his equipment himself as he cannot hire a technician to do so as most other professional skiers. All that drives him is his passion for the sport and the love for his country and in 2014, maybe he will give us all something to be proud of.