Since his childhood days, Shaib Rasheed Malik, had a profound liking for skiing. Shaib was just a 7 year old kid when he went to the ski resort of Gulmarg and started learning the basics of skiing. After that there was no looking back for him.
During this course of time at Gulmarg, nothing could stop Shaib from dreaming big, especially on ski touring on high altitudes. Today, the 19-year-old wears many feathers in his cap and has become an inspiration for young aspiring skiers o valley.
“It was a difficult task to learn the basics of skiing at high altitude Gulmarg. But I was dedicated and committed. Despite the difficulties I learned it more quickly,” he said.
A resident of Kalantra Bala village in Baramulla, the young skier has participated and shone in national and international skiing events and competitions. He has brought laurels to the village.
Shaib was inspired by internationally recognized Kashmiri alpine skier Arif Khan (who hails from Tangmarg and represented India at the 2022 Winter Olympics).
Earlier this year, he received the double gold medal in Senior-Junior National Championship at Auli, Uttarakhand. In April this year, he also won silver in Senior Double Gold Medal in all India Open Competition.
He was also invited by the Lieutenant Governor of J&K for an interaction related to sports on August 15 at SKICC. Two years ago he won a gold medal in the Junior National Championship in Gulmarg.
Shaib’s parents have always encouraged and motivated him, which, he said, gives him strength and he continues skiing till date.
“There is no second option to hard work. But on the other side, family support is very important. They were at my back. My family always supported me. They are a motivational force to me,” he said.
Shaib wants to do something for Kashmir’s aspiring skiers who often face trouble in moving ahead. “I never stopped skiing since the day I went to Gulmarg. I will continue to do my best and I want to be a motivation for aspiring skiers who need counseling,” he said.
At the Kalantra village, where Shaib was born and brought up, he also plays cricket and motivates his comrade to go for sports activities including cricket and skiing.
“I never stop playing. I am on my toes round the year. I have played cricket in many tournaments across Baramulla district,” he said.
Shaib said J&K Sports Council has always been there for his support. “They have also motivated me and are a source of encouragement for me,” he said.
In 2014, he played Senior and Snowboarding Championship in Uttrakhand in which he had scored fourth rank. He said during his participation in national championships he was also supported by the Indian Olympic Association.
In 2019, Shaib had an opportunity to participate in First Children Asia International held in Russia where he was among top ten skiers.
For the second time, he again had an opportunity to participate in the Senior and Snowboarding Championship held in Uttrakhand in 2020.
