Sledding, encompassing sports such as luge, skeleton, and bobsledding, is popular as a recreational activity in India,[1] but with little participation as a serious sport. However, India has produced a handful of sledding athletes who have been successful at the top level, the most prominent being medal-winning luger Shiva Keshavan. Despite the country's predominantly tropical climate, these winter sports have gained some prominence in recent years due to Indian athletes competing internationally and the growth of winter tourism in the Himalayan regions which have suitable winter conditions. India is considered to have a huge untapped potential for winter sports, including sledding.[2][3][4]
| Sledding in India | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country | India |
| Governing body | Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association of India, Luge Federation of India |
| National team(s) | India |
Tobogganing is practiced in Kufri, Himachal Pradesh.[5][6] Balram Menon is an Indian who has done cross-country dog sledding in Mongolia.[7]
Governing bodies
editLuge in India is administered by the Luge Federation of India which is affiliated to the International Luge Federation (FIL), while bobsleighing and skeleton in India are administered by the Bobsleigh and Skeleton Association of India, which in tuen is affiliated with the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation.[citation needed]
Notable athletes
edit
Shiva Keshavan has been a talismanic member of India's Winter Olympics contingents over the years, having competed in the six consecutive editions of the Games from 1998 to 2018. In 1998 Keshavan became the youngest ever person to compete at luge at the Winter Olympics, at Nagano, Japan at the age of 16 years.[8][9] He won three gold, four silver and three bronze medals at the Asia Cup and Asian Championships since 2005. He also bagged a gold at the 2017 Asian Luge Championships in Altenberg, Germany.[8] He is also the first Indian to have won an international medal in any winter sport.[10] Keshavan rues the lack of support from Indian sports authorities.[11][12] Keshavan built his own sleds while competing with athletes whose sleds were design by automotive companies.[13]
Sledding locations in India
edit- Auli, Uttarakhand[14]
- Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir[15][16][17]
- Dhanaulti, Uttarakhand
- Katao, Sikkim
- Narkanda, Himachal Pradesh
- Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir
- Rohtang, Himachal Pradesh[18]
- Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
- Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir
- Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
- Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
- Nathatop, Jammu and Kashmir[19]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Sledding in Indian-Administered Kashmir". Global Press Journal. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ ""For winter sports, we are at the dawn of a revolution"". Francs Jeux. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Keshavan, Shiva. "Decentralising winter sports to create a global, sustainable legacy". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "'Luge tracks and top class facilities' - Shiva Keshavan feels winter sports has a bright future in India". Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "Tobogganing , Kufri (2024) - Images, Timings | Holidify". www.holidify.com. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "Tobogganing: The perfect winter sport to enjoy with your family". The Economic Times. 2 November 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Sebastian, Shevlin (10 April 2018). "Dog-sledding in the snow". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ a b Balachandran, Kanishkaa (12 February 2018). "India at the Winter Olympics: The Shiva Keshavan story". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Sportstar, Team (3 July 2022). "75 years of independence, 75 iconic moments from Indian sports: No 33 - 1998: Shiva Keshavan becomes youngest person overall, first Indian to qualify for Olympics in luge". Sportstar. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "Shiva Keshavan". Sportwise. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Romig, Rollo (1 February 2018). "The Lonely Mission of India's Sole Luger". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Wu, Huizhong (10 February 2018). "India's uphill battle in the luge". CNN. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "Luge racer Shiva Keshavan is the fastest man in India". Red Bull. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "An ultimate guide to popular snow sports you can enjoy in India". www.dtnext.in. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (23 February 2024). "Interview: Snow Slopes at Gulmarg Best in the World, Says Six-Time Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "Sledge in Gulmarg, Kashmir | Starting @ ₹ 1420 only!". thrilleasy.com. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "Best Thrilling Sledge Ride in Gulmarg: Complete Guide". WanderOn. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ "7 Exciting Winter Sports To Try In India's Snowy Places". www.newspointapp.com. 4 December 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
- ^ International, Asian News (3 January 2023). "Winter special: Top snow sports you can enjoy this season in India". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
External links
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