Written by: Waseem Abbas
Posted on: January 19, 2022 | 
| 中文
Girls' ice hockey match in Altit. (Credits to Taseer Beyg)
The Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Wendy Gilmour's participation in the ongoing winter sports competition, the Karakoram Winterlude in Altit Hunza, raised the profile of the emerging winter games in Gilgit Baltistan (GB) both nationally and internationally. Gilgit-Baltistan is host to a number of winter sports galas held across the region that usually go unnoticed. Altit in Hunza, Ghulkin in Gojal, Khalti Lake in Ghizer, Naltar in Gilgit, and Hussainabad in Skardu are a few of the famous destinations known for winter sports in the region. The winter games that different valleys of Gilgit Baltistan host include Ice Skating, Ice Hockey, Ice Football, KoPolo, etc.
H.E. Wendy Gilmour as referee
Hunza is one of the most vibrant and inclusive districts in Pakistan in terms of gender participation, which is evident from the many sports galas held in the valley where the participation of women is a norm, rather than an exception, unlike in the rest of the country. Known for its high literacy rate (literacy rate in the region is 71 percent as compared to 58% in Pakistan, 80 percent for men and 65% for women as compared to 70 and 51 percent in the rest of Pakistan) and serene beauty, the valley hosts several sports events where women participate in large numbers without any hindrance. Be it the Gilgit Baltistan Girls Football League, cricket tournament in Chipurson, or the winter games in Altit and Ghulkin, Hunza has produced numerous international women athletes, including mountaineer Samina Baig, cricketer Diana Baig, footballer Malika-e-Noor, etc.
An Ice hockey game in Altit, Hunza
The Karakoram Winterlude-4, an ice hockey and ice-skating competition, organized by the SCARF Sports Club and Rising Federation, started on the 15th of January in Altit, Hunza. The event was formally inaugurated by Raja Nasir Ali Khan, Minister of Tourism GB, who declared that his government plans to take winter games to the national and international level. The Karakoram Winterlude is organized every year in the frozen water reservoir of Altit, Hunza, where ice skating, ice hockey, and other winter sports are played. The participation of local girls and boys in the challenging winter games set the tone of the event, while the elderly watched the games in the cold weather of the scenic valley.
Traditional music performance
The highlight of Karakoram Winterlude-4 was Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Wendy Gilmour's participation in the gala. She reiterated that Pakistan has great potential for the winter games, just like Canada, and vowed to continue supporting such ventures in the future as well. She hoped to highlight the importance of climate change and create more resilient communities through winter games. Her Excellency also acted as a referee in one game of ice hockey in Altit. Moreover, on the opening day, there was a Canada versus Hunza Girls match as well as a match between girls and boys. The Dubai-based teen figure skater Mallak Faisal also impressed everyone with her skills on the rink. The remarkable skill and passion displayed by the young girls was enough to shatter the gender stereotypes that prevail in our society.
The Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, H.E. Wendy Gilmour, etching kids ice skating in Altit, Hunza in 2020
The most important of winter sports events in GB is National Ice Hockey - Ice Skating Championship 2022, which started on the 18th of January in Ghulkin valley of Gojal, Hunza. The event is scheduled from the 18th of January till the 23rd of January, 2022. The Altit event is a starting point of winter games in GB, which will reach its zenith with the Ghulkin Gala. GB Winter Sports Association is collaborating with Pakistan Winter Sports Federation to conduct the event where 16 teams of men and 8 teams of women will participate. Teams of the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, GB Scouts, KPK, Chitral and many local teams, primarily from Hunza, Gilgit, Ghizer, and Nagar will be participating in the gala. Ice Skit Polo, Ice Hockey, Ice Curling and other games are scheduled to be played in the 6-day long event.
The Canadian High Commission staff with the participants of National Ice Hockey Championship at Ghulkin, Gojal
The re-emergence of winter games in GB in recent times is monumental, but they are not something new for the natives of the region. These winter sports have historically remained very popular across GB, like KoPolo, Ice-Skating, Skiing etc.
Two kids playing ice hockey
Naltar valley in Gilgit has an international quality ski resort where ski competitions are held annually. Set up in 1958, Naltar is the oldest ski resort in Pakistan, at 10,500 feet above sea level. Pakistan Air Force with the cooperation of the Winter Sports Federation of Pakistan, hosts ski competitions where many teams from across Pakistan participate. While the tourism and culture department, the Government of GB along with Khalti Social Development Organization organizes winter sports festival at Khalti frozen lake in district Ghizer. It starts every year on the 27th of January and ends a week after, where the Ice Hockey championship, Ice Skating, and Ice Football are played.
Skiing in Naltar Ski Resort in GB
The re-emergence of winter sports has vital importance in promoting winter tourism in the region. Moreover, these gender-inclusive sports activities can have a positive impact on society as a whole. The participation of girls' teams from comparatively conservative areas, like Nagar, in the Ghulikn Winter Sports Gala is the manifestation of it. These events of winter games play an instrumental role in preserving the traditional winter games of the region. These events are also necessary to increase awareness about climate change, glacial melting and related issues. It is imperative that the government pay attention to winter sports in GB, which will boost Pakistan's image internationally, while also benefiting the local community in numerous ways.
An ice hockey lesson for a little girl
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