Kargil (The Stellar News): In a milestone moment for winter sports in Ladakh, renowned skiing pioneer from Kargil Sadiq Ali, popularly known as “Skier Sadic,” has been appointed as a member of the Selection Committee of Ski and Snowboard India (SSI) under the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) Ad-Hoc Committee.
The appointment was formalized through an Order, which outlines the formation of a national-level committee responsible for identifying and grooming elite talent in skiing. The body will also finalize India’s contingent for major international championships, including the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
Sadiq Ali joins a distinguished panel comprising Olympians, technical experts, and senior professionals from India’s winter sports ecosystem. The committee’s responsibilities include developing transparent selection criteria, scouting and nurturing promising athletes, creating development pathways, and identifying prospective coaches for national certification and international exposure.
A President’s Medal awardee and founding member of the Ladakh Ski and Snowboard Association, Sadiq Ali is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in introducing and expanding snow skiing in the Himalayan region. His tireless work over the years has helped shape Ladakh as a growing hub for winter sports and adventure tourism.
Local sports enthusiasts and youth leaders have hailed the development as a positive breakthrough. The inclusion of a Ladakhi representative at the national decision-making level is expected to significantly strengthen the future of winter sports in the Union Territory.
“This recognition will not only boost snow activities and snow-related games in Ladakh, but also inspire and encourage young minds to take up skiing and other winter sports professionally,” said syed Mehraj Ud Din Shah, General Secretary DKOA.
With this development, Ladakh’s winter sports fraternity is hopeful that more athletes from the region will receive national exposure and structured opportunities to compete at the global stage.
