Sports Reporter
JAMMU: Mountaineering Association of J and K (MAJK) celebrated its 30th Anniversary and prize distribution function in a simple but impressive function held at KL Sehgal Hall, Abhinav Theatre, here. A number of sport climbers, mountaineers, institutions which promote adventure activities, affiliated clubs of the association and its prominent members were honoured by the Chief Guest, Chief Secretary, B.R Sharma and Ruby Sharma, (Chairperson IASOWA, J and K).
Former MLA, Ashwani Sharma was presiding guest while Chairman, Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi, S. Bhattacharjee and Prof. Lalit Magotra (eminent scientist and writer) were Guests of Honour.
The main attraction of the function was Shivani Charak, who brought laurels to the State by winning three silver medals in the National Championship at Bengaluru and three gold medals in the North Zone Sport Climbing Championship held at Salwan Public School, New Delhi. Shivani, a 15-year old student of Shining Star Academy Muthi was honoured with the medals, a memento and cash prize of Rs 18,000.
Arun Deep Singh, who won one gold, one silver and one bronze medal in the national competition and two gold medals and one silver in the Sub Junior Boys category in the North Zone Competition was also honoured with a memento, a pair of imported climbing shoes and a cash prize of Rs 9,500.
Aman Dogra, another talented climber who won a silver medal in the national competition, and also represented the country in the Asian Youth Championship at Tehran (Iran) was also honoured with a cash prize of Rs 6,000 along with Mrityunjay Sharma who was presented a cash prize of Rs 4,000 and a memento for bagging a bronze medal in the national competition.
Asma Gul of Sprawling Buds School, Bantalab, Jammu who secured three gold medals, Shilpa Charak who won gold, silver and bronze medal each; Kumari Bindia of Udhampur who bagged silver and bronze medal were also felicitated along with Sumiya Kousar of Mohore in district Reasi (silver) in the 22nd North Zone Sport Climbing Championship.
Meanwhile, eight mountaineers of the association, who scaled the formidable Matho Kangri Peak in Ladakh in September, 2016 under the dynamic leadership of Everester Ram Singh Slathia were also felicitated.
Besides Ram Singh, the other members of the highly successful expedition included Everester Sajad Haider of Kathua, Tsering Dorjey of Leh, Gh. Mohd. Wani of Tangmarg, Shawetica Khajuria, Joint Secretary of the Association, Manik Slathia of Samba, Shashi Kant of Jammu and Ambreen Fatima of Kargil, presently Jammu.
North Zone Champion’s Trophy which the J and K team regained this year was presented to Sprawling Buds School as a token of association’s gratitude and appreciation for providing a climbing wall and an international standard finger board and financial support to the association for other adventure activities.
As many as 14 other institutions were also awarded for their participation in association’s numerous activities along with 21 teachers who escorted various groups of trekkers during trekking programmes.
The Dedication Awards for the year 2016 were conferred upon 11 persons including Akshay Sadotra, Sakshi Magotra, Nitya Sharma, Puneet Sharma, Deepika Dutta and Himani Choudhary, Satish Bhan of Sprawling Buds School, Prof. Neelam Thapa and Prof. Amitpal Kaur of GCW Gandhi Nagar and Suman Lata, Physical Director of GCW, Parade Jammu for their single minded dedication and devotion to promote trekking, mountaineering and allied activities in the State.
Earlier, General Secretary of MAJK, Ram Khajuria, in his annual report, highlighted the achievements of the association and its affiliated clubs during the current year and thanked various agencies including J and K State Sports Council for their support and sponsorship. He also impressed upon the Sports Council to provide climbing infrastructure to the association and also sponsor a major mountaineering expedition in 2017.
While addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest, B.R Sharma lauded the efforts of the association to promote adventure activities in the State. He appreciated the achievements of the association and promised all possible help for further promotion of sport climbing and mountaineering in the State.
