National level snow sports meet postponed yet again due to inadequate snow at Auli
PRADEEP BHANDARI | Jyotirmath
The national skiing championship slated to be held at Auli here in Chamoli district has been suspended due to inadequate snow. This has elicited focus on the failure of the authorities in Uttarakhand to use the resources procured earlier like snow making machines, which have been lying unused instead of being used for the intended purpose.
The Indian Olympic Association had accorded Uttarakhand the opportunity to host the national games which were to be held from January 29 to February 2. However the hosting of the 38th National Games and lack of snow in Auli caused the authorities to consider changing the dates for the skiing championship.
The organisers had asked the government to defer the date from February 28 to March 4 but the government did not approve a final date. In the meanwhile, the snow started melting swiftly in Auli, due to which the games had to be postponed. Winter Games Federation of Uttarakhand secretary Ajay Bhatt said that the IOA had accorded Uttarakhand the opportunity to host the national winter games this year. However, this has been postponed due to lack of snow at Auli.
It is pertinent to mention here that this is not the first time when a national level event has been postponed at Auli. The lack of adequate snow resulted in the national level event not being held here in 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2023. Observers point out that costly snow making machines purchased for Auli have been laying as mere showpieces. These costly equipment were purchased for the winter games years ago but have not been practically used for the intended purpose so far.
