Manali basks in glory of skiing medallist

MC Thakur

Manali, January 13

India’s first skiing medallist Aanchal Thakur was accorded a warm welcome in Manali, her hometown, today.

The 21-year-old young skier from Buruwa village near Manali won a bronze medal at the Alpine Ejder 3200 Cup in Turkey, which was organised by the International Ski Federation (FIS).

Locals in large numbers, director, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali, members of the Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association (HPWGA), Winter Sports Club, Manali, ski clubs, NGOs, Him-Aanchal Taxi Operators Union, Manali, and members of the Auto-Rickshaw Union put up a great show to welcome the girl in a traditional way.

Aanchal, along with her parents, visited the Durga temple on the Mall Road.

On cloud nine, the young skier said her next target was to make it to the 2022 Winter Olympics. “I want to win a medal for the country.” She said the government should develop the basic skiing infrastructure in Solang Valley and also other parts of the state so that local skiers got the best of facilities and training too. “My father is the man I idolise. He has been an inspiration,” Aanchal said. Roshan Thakur, who is also the general secretary of the Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI), said: “My daughter has done the country proud. Winning a medal in the slalom race category is something. This historic feat of hers will inspire others too,” he added.