Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 17: Hosts Jammu and Kashmir Mountaineering Association (JKMAS) is expecting a record participation of around 300 Climbers in the 2nd National Sport Climbing Championship for Visually Challenged at Sprawling Buds ICSE School, Bantalab from March 23 to 24.
“There has been an overwhelming response from throughout the country and as against the earlier expected participation of about 150 visually Challenged athletes the figure may finally touch the 300 mark, if the trend continues,” informed senior vice president of the Association, Ram Khajuria in an interaction with the media, here today.
Besides Advisor, S. Bhattacharjee and Chairman, Col. J S Dhillon of the National Sport Climbing Committee, some other dignitaries are likely to grace the occasion along with almost all the international and national judges, route setters and other technical officials of India.
“Buoyed up by the pleasant surprise of substantial participation, the MAJK has decided to distribute prizes to the first six positions instead of the usual first three positions, in both the categories of Boys and Girls,” added Khajuria.
The prize money of Rs 40000 is likely to be enhanced considerably by the organisers.
Meanwhile, the Association has formed an Organising Committee supported by various Sub Committees for the efficient and smooth conduct of this National Championship.
“President of the Association, Zorawar Singh Jamwal will be the chairman while Rahul Sharma (Chairman of Sprawling Buds ICSE School, Bantalab, Jammu) will be the Co Chairman of the organizing committee,” said organising secretary.
The joint organizing secretaries who will head various sub committees include Shawetica Khajuria, general secretary of the Association and an international judge in sport climbing (Technical Committee); Sushil Singh, treasurer (Finance Committee); Manik Slathia (Lodging); Shashi Kant Sharma (Transport) and Sonam Sidharth (Boarding).
Other important functionaries shall be Yogeshwar Kumar, vice president (J); Khurshid Ahmad of Glacier Trekking and Mountaineering Club, Anantnag, Syed Mohsin Andravi of Sunridges Trekking and Mountaineering Club, Pulwama and Abhimanyu Sherpa, Joint Secretary of Tawi Trekkers J&K.
The members of the different committees include Vivek Chauhan; Prem Sadotra; Mridhu Padha,; Everester Ram Singh Slathia, Sumit Khajuria, Sakshi Magotra, Himani Choudhary, Deepika Dutta and Sunil Chakharia.
Meanwhile, as a part of its preparation of the J&K team, the MAJK will conduct a 10 days coaching cum practice camp from March 10 to March 20 at Sprawling Buds ICSE School. The J&K Sport Climbing Championship has been scheduled on March 22 just a day prior to the National competition.
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