Jashan Azadi Polo Festival Concludes with NLI Victory. A total of 15 teams participated in the Jashan Azadi Polo Festival, while teams from Chitral also participated for the first time. The NLI polo team defeated the Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts Polo Team in the final, scoring 4 goals to 3. Both teams had advanced to the final round by competing against various other polo teams. The match was a thrilling contest.

The match played at the Wahab Shaheed Polo Ground was watched and enjoyed by a large number of fans, a spectacular fireworks display was also performed at the end of the match.

A large number of fans from all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, including Chitral, and from both domestic and foreign tourists, gathered at Wahab Shaheed Polo Ground to watch the final match. However, due to overcrowding, thousands were unable to enter. Some fans resorted to watching the match from the rooftops of nearby structures.

Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan attended the final match of Jashan Azadi Polo Festival at Wahab Shaheed Polo Ground as a special guest. On this occasion, he said that polo is the national sport of Gilgit-Baltistan and a part of our historical and cultural heritage. Concrete steps will be taken at the government level to make polo popular among the people and to promote long-standing traditions.

He expressed his appreciation for Chitral’s participation in the Jashan Azadi Polo Festival and commended Major General Kashif Khalil Force Commander Gilgit-Baltistan for successfully organizing the event. The Force Commander pledged to further enhance the Wahab Shaheed Polo Ground and expand the seating capacity to accommodate more spectators.

The Karakoram International University (KIU) in Gilgit recently celebrated International Mountain Day with a one-day wall climbing competition, which was organised in partnership with EVK2CNR. The competition showcased KIU’s commitment to providing students with top-notch sports facilities, including a state-of-the-art climbing wall.

The competition was divided into four categories: Category 1 for students aged 6 to 12; Category 2 for students aged 12 to 19; Category 3 for those aged 20 and over; and Category 4 for women of all ages. 22 male and female students took part in the competition, and the following students emerged as winners:

In the female category, Nasimane won first place, Saima Zahra took second place, and Alina Ali took third place. In Category B, Muhammad Abbas Mehdi won first place, Arshad Hussain took second place, and Ali Abbas took third place. In Category D, Muhammad Sami Zaib won first place, Hussain Sami took second place, and Ali Mantaha took third place. In Category E, Muhammad Ali won first place, Rahim Uddin took second place, and Zeeshan Abbas took third place.

The winners were recognised with shields and certificates from the chief guest, Dr. Khalil Ahmed, Dean of Life Sciences at KIU, and other distinguished guests.

The wall climbing competition on International Mountain Day not only highlighted the university’s commitment to sports and fitness, but also the importance of mountain conservation and appreciation for the unique beauty of mountain regions. Mountains play a crucial role in the lives of communities, providing them with vital resources such as water, food, and medicine. They also have cultural, spiritual, and recreational value.

Participating in outdoor sports like climbing has numerous benefits for mental and physical health. It can reduce stress, improve cardiovascular health, increase muscle strength and endurance, and boost self-esteem. Encouraging young people to engage in outdoor sports and appreciate the beauty of mountain regions can also foster a sense of environmental responsibility and a commitment to preserving these fragile ecosystems for future generations.

KIU’s wall climbing competition on International Mountain Day was a thrilling celebration of the beauty and benefits of mountains, and a testament to the university’s commitment to sports and environmental responsibility.

The Inspirational True Story of the Gilgit-Baltistan’s First Mountain Biker

A Bad day on a Mountain Bike Always Beats a Good Day in Office

Yasir Ehsam belongs to the small town of Nazim Abad Sost, situated far up the mountainous North. 

His journey as a mountain cyclist started in 2015, when he travelled from Gilgit to Khunjerab on a mountain bike. This 28-hour journey was an eye-opener for Ehsam – having observed that the trend of Mountain Cycling in the mountains was non-existent. Thus, he decided to utilize the natural resources and began promoting the sport.

Yasir’s recreational pursuit began when he was a child. He says that ‘there is a lack of awareness about this sport in the society in particular and the country in general’. 

It was, however, a difficult journey for Yasir. 

“When I told my friends and family about my dream of promoting this sport, I received no positive response. So, I set out on my own with a small team of people who supported the idea”. 

Thus, at the age of 17, Yasir set out on his own and decided to ride down 22000ft from sea-level. The track that he chose was undefined, tricky, risky, and could cost him his life. However, his motivation and rigour to succeed was greater than his fear of failure. The fact that he rode down from the mountain on a bike that was not even made for this kind of path goes to show that nothing can stand in your way if you believe in yourself and the authenticity of your goal.

This attempt took him 8 days – for a single shot of the downhill ride. A slight mistake could cost him his life. However, when he came down laden with a successful adventure to boast of, his family and friends were waiting to welcome him with open arms. Yasir dedicates this success to his consistent efforts and never-depleting will-power. 

His attempt at the National Record of Cycling is recognized by the government of Gilgit-Baltistan. 

“While I was travelling after the stunt, I got into a road accident that resulted in a severe fracture to my leg. I could not ride a bike for almost three years”.  

This accident left Yasir in a devastated state. However, he refused to give up. His motivation to pursue his dream strengthened as his health did. In the two years when he was unable to set foot on a cycle, his willpower kept his dream alive. 

The 4 Season Ride

After shortfalls and successful attempts alike, Yasir has now introduced mountain cycling as a year-round sport. His company is called the ‘North Downhill 72 – Rider Club’, inspired by the mountainous terrain of the region. 

However, he still believes that there is a need to emphasize on mountain cycling as a sport. 

The Environmental Impact

In the rush of the globalized world, people barely think about the environment before starting up a car engine or rushing across roads on motorcycles. Vehicles emit various green-house gases that are harmful the people and the natural environment. A study conducted by the University of Montana revealed that ‘emissions not only affect the air; Airborne-pollutants fall to the ground with precipitation, which pollutes our groundwater and our farmland too’. ‘The asphalt, roadway tars and other chemicals poured to make parking lots also release pollutants into the air and groundwater’. Moreover, the study also suggests that ‘the removal of trees and complementary vegetation for parking spaces eliminates vital air cleaners that help reduce the quantity of carbon dioxide in the air’.

When surfaces are paved for the purpose of construction, a ‘heat-island effect’ is created. Thus, the land upon which construction is carried out is hotter than the surrounding rural areas – translating to increased energy demands leading to greater energy-related greenhouse emissions. 

How Can Mountain Cycling Benefit the Community in the Longer Run?

Riding a bike also reduces traffic congestion. Idling cars are bad for the environment, so less cars on the road means a healthier community. Bicycles reduce the need for clearing land for parking lots. For every one car parking space, 6-15 bikes can fit easily. Because bicycle parking requires comparatively lesser space, bikes help minimize the heat island effect while preserve habitats.

It is clear that mountain biking does not negatively impact natural resources to a terrible extent when regulated in a fine manner. It is important that the region of Gilgit-Baltistan strives to maximize the particular impacts of trail riding with the implementation of proper development and management techniques. 

Yasir is not only promoting mountain cycling as a sport, but also advocating for it to be a part of people’s daily activities. Cycling can be one the best activities for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan to indulge in all year round. Since the region witnesses all 4 season majestically while it also has the natural resource for cycling, it is evident that this activity can be of great use to the people as well as the environment.