The newly formed Bhartiya Ski and Snowboard Association got International Ski Federation (FIS) was given official recognition during the FIS Congress held in Belgrade.     

The newly-formed Bhartiya Ski and Snowboard Association (BSSA) got recognition from the International Ski Federation (FIS) during FIS Congress held in Belgrade (June 10-11), one of the senior officials of the BSSA told Sportbackstory.com. “The new development will certainly give a fillip to the winter sports in India,” the official added.

With the decision of FIS Congress to recognise the Indian national body overseeing Winter Sport, the development is expected to end the wrangling between the two rival factions.

The Bhartiya Ski and Snowboard has eight affiliated units, including Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Maharashtra. “The Winter Games are generally conducted in the Himalayan region (Indian side) of the country,” one of the members of a state unit of BSSA told Sportsbackstory.com. “Majority of the athletes are also from the Himalayan region.”

Roop Chand Negi, representing Himachal Pradesh is the president of the BSSA.

Last year the Indian players got financial support from FIS for international exposure and Bhartiya Ski and Snowboard are hopeful of more such international exposure from the world governing body in the future. “Two batches of Indian players got two international exposure tours in Europe. It was good for the development of Winter Games in India,” said another official of BSSA.

The 57th International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) Congress was held between June 10-11 in Belgrade, Serbia. During the FIS Congress, Alexander Ospelt edged past incumbent Johan Eliasch 65-64 to win the presidential elections.

One of the agenda of the newly elected president of the FIS is to ensure national federations have a healthy environment across the globe for the development of sport.

EOM