Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM) has engaged a foreign coach to train 25 state youngsters in advance skiing to prepare them for representing the country at global level, Principal of the institute J S Dhillon said today.
"As part our efforts to hone the skill of local youth, we have engaged Italian coach Nadia Burtolozzi to train 25 young skiers from different parts of the state in advance skiing lessons so that they could participate in the national and international competitions," Dhillon said at the sidelines of a function organised at the famous ski resort of Gulmarg, 55 kms from here, in north Kashmir.
IISM was set up at Gulmarg by the union tourism department in 1969 with the aim to introduce adventure sports among the youth and to promote the tourism industry.
The Institute imparts technical training and conducts various courses such as Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Trekking and Mountaineering programmes in Kashmir and Ladakh. Besides the Institute proposes to start with White Water Rafting in Lidder and Sindh rivers, Paragliding at Gulmarg, Yousmarg and Sonmarg as well as higher reaches.
Dhillon said the young children have been picked from the different parts of the state and have the potential to excel in the skiing sports at International level.
He said the Institute trains more than 500 students across the country every year in skiing alone.
"IISM not only develops the adventure skills in its students but also serves as a perfect platform for integration of the Kashmir youth with that of the rest of the Nation," the principal said.
