Alpine skier Mohammad Arif Khan, India’s solely athlete at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, has accused an worker of the Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) of “deliberate harassment” after he was allegedly stopped from boarding the Gulmarg Gondola for training at the famous ski-resort.
In a video posted on social media, Khan said he was in Gulmarg, in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, for training when the incident took place.
“I skied with two other athletes for the past five-six days, but today an incident took place outside the Gulmarg Gondola and an employee stopped us, especially me,” he stated within the video posted late Saturday night time.
Khan stated the worker requested him for a license, “to which I merely replied that sure, I’ve a license and am registered and take the athletes alongside for apply”.
“He (the employee) asked for proof, to which I replied that I had no information, otherwise, I would have kept my license along. I told the person that his seniors knew me and he should talk to them or let me in and talk to them.
“He felt I was a fraud, but I felt that it was a deliberate act. I know the person for many years now and know how he treats people. I have noticed that, but I did not tell anyone. It was deliberate harassment, which was unpleasant and he kept me waiting for about 55 minutes,” the skier alleged.
There was no response to calls and messages in search of feedback from the JKCCC officers.
Khan claimed he referred to as a few of the seniors of the worker “however he (the worker) refused to speak to them”.
“He said even if you are a star from somewhere, I will not allow you inside till you do not show your identity. Normally, he knows me very well. But, I understood then that perhaps he had problems with my tagline of “Team India” or an issue with my representing India.
“I felt it was a suspicious exercise I stood there watching his drama. Then I went and introduced a move by advantage of which I went inside. I talked to his seniors who had been ashamed (in regards to the incident),” Khan added.
The skier said he wanted the public to know that “we (athletes) work very hard, and through us the world comes to know about our land, our people, but, it is disappointing that we have to witness this situation in return, which demoralises us”.
“What message does it ship to the youth whom I attempt to encourage for taking on sports activities,” he said.
Khan said the employees “in their defence will say that such people travel without a ticket”.
“However, I all the time take permission from their seniors who know me,” he added.
The skier claimed that he had a prolonged programme for promotion of Gulmarg for organising international events. “But, I am quitting my training and am returning to Europe. I will not plan any training here in the future.”
Appealing to the administration, together with J-Okay Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, to look into the matter, Khan alleged it was like he was going through threats for representing his nation.
“I felt that I needed to face this as a result of I characterize India. So, I request the administration, together with the LG, that ought to we discontinue sports activities on this scenario as it is like I’m going through threats for representing my nation. Please test the truth of this matter. They will say something of their defence, however nobody is able to inform the reality right here. Please look into this matter as quickly as doable,” he stated.
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