The Express Tribune

The father of skiing in Pakistan, Shah Khan, passed away due to pneumonia on Saturday and was laid to rest in Chinar Bagh in Gilgit-Baltistan yesterday, leaving behind a legacy that can never be replicated.The 92-year-old led an accomplished life, fighting in the 1947-48 Gilgit-Skardu war of independence and received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz and the Sitara-e-Jurat during his illustrious career as a pilot.But he also left behind a big mark in Pakistan’s sporting community for introducing skiing in the country.“Whatever we know about skiing today, is because of Shah; he was the one who introduced it to Pakistan. He was himself a very good skier,” Ski Federation of Pakistan (SFP) Secretary Air Commodore Qaswar Abbas Naqvi told The Express Tribune. “He set up the skiing facilities at Kalabagh when he was the base commander there in the 70s, as well as the one in Naltar. Without him we wouldn’t have this sport in Pakistan.”Shah’s suggestion for the formation of a ski federation was acted upon in 1990 when the SFP came into existence. “Federation officials still turned to him when they needed advice” revealed Abbas.SFP spokesperson Obaidur Rehman Abbasi added that the villagers in Naltar also remember Shah with fondness. “He served the local community and that led to a number of them taking up skiing,” said Abbasi. “He convinced the villagers to challenge themselves and dabble in the sport. He helped in making the facilities at Naltar; it was his vision.”SFP’s annual national championship, where the country’s finest athletes come together in a bid, is named the Shah Khan Cup after the great man.Muhammad Abbas, Pakistan’s first Winter Olympian, revealed that Shah was a huge inspiration in his life and feels that it was his efforts that brought hope to Naltar.“He was a generous man and a true visionary,” said Abbas, who represented Pakistan in 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. “He pushed me into taking my skiing career seriously and asked me to compete at international events too. I am glad I listened to him.”Published in, November 21, 2016.Like Sports on Facebook , follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.