Aanchal Thakur wins FIS International bronze, becomes the first Indian to win a medal in skiing

What's the story?

Aanchal Thakur scripted her name in the history books after she won an international title in skiing for India on Tuesday. The girl from Manali won the Bronze medal in the prestigious Alpine Ejder 3200 Cup at the Palandoken Ski Centre in Turkey. The tournament is organised by the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) which is the International governing body for Skiing.

Finally something unexpected happened. My first ever international medal.? Federation International Ski Race (FIS). At the end turkey served me well ??.PC- @alwyncreed #strangethingshappen #skiteamindia #onehimachal #himalayangirls pic.twitter.com/pjkSddCpi5

— Aanchal Thakur (@alleaanchal) January 9, 2018

In case you didn't know...

Father of Aanchal, Roshan Thakur is also the secretary general of the Winter Games Federation of India (WGFI). He was very excited about his daughter’s performance and expressed that the achievement is a breakthrough for the sport in India.

The heart of the matter

The achievement is laudable as there is hardly any scope or infrastructure for winter sports in our country. Even if there are some aspirants for such sports, there is little support from the federations or the governments.

Even Sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate Thakur on her achievement.

Congrats Aanchal Thakur @alleaanchal for the Slalom Skiing Bronze in the FIS International Skiing Competition in Turkey. India opens account by a first ever medal in skiing ?Well done! @jairamthakurbjp pic.twitter.com/vhTReuJwyl

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) January 10, 2018

Well done @alleaanchal for winning an international medal in skiing! The entire nation is ecstatic on your historic accomplishment at the FIS International Skiing Competition in Turkey. Wishing you the very best for your future endeavours.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 10, 2018

"Months of training have finally borne fruit. I started well and managed to take a good lead, which helped later in getting the third-place finish," said the Indian after she won the medal in the slalom category.

What's next?

As a matter of fact, a professional skier requires skis, boots, poles, helmets, suits, goggles and gloves to take part in any big-ticket tournaments. It requires Rs.5 lakhs and Rs.10 lakhs and Thakur feels that this achievement will help the cause of winter sports in the country.

Author's take

Thakur said that the bureaucrats in the sports ministry do not acknowledge skiing as a sport. It is very disappointing to hear such grievances from an official, but that’s the reality. The Union Government is making efforts to improve the conditions of the lesser followed sports disciplines in the country, but it also has to make provisions for Winter Sports. Apart from the Olympics, the Winter Olympics is also an important event, and India has to make efforts to compete in the mega event form the next edition.