Rafting, adventure sports body formed to promote sports among youngsters

Amritsar, August 31

In a promising development, sports enthusiasts in the region have come together under the banner of Punjab Association for Rafting and Adventure Sports (PARAAS) to wean youth away from drugs and promote diverse sports among them.

Headed by Gunbir Singh, president, Dilbir Foundation and Chairperson of Punjab State for Worldwide Fund for Nature, PARAAS includes business leaders, para sportsmen, marine administrators and outdoor educators. Talking about the aim of PARAAS, Gunbir Singh said promoting sports with a competitive bent of mind is not only the need of the hour, but also the focus of PARAAS.

“Competitive pursuit builds character and channelises youthful energy. Punjab needs to re-emerge as a resource for national competence in the global sporting arena, and we are intent on providing diverse opportunity to GenZ,” said Gunbir Singh. “We shall be adding to our core mountaineers, aqua and air sportsmen,” he added.

Gunbir Singh further stated that stress would be laid on the promotion of sustainable and eco-friendly sports. “We shall soon be approaching the state government for support towards these endeavours in order to augment value-added summer tourist opportunities,” he added. World Rafting Federation president Danilo Barmaz, secretary general Matteo Benciolini and Asian Director Shaukat Sikand surveyed Harike Pattan wetlands and urban canals as a first step towards the PARAAS milestones.