FIS has taken a major step towards further development of snow sports in Asia by signing two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs): with the Hong Kong and the Shanghai Pudong Ski Associations.
New indoor facilities, in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai have been opened and certified by FIS for international standards marking a significant step forward for winter sports across the continent by providing up and coming athletes with access to snow during the summer months and enabling Asian nations to train on approved courses.
“Asia, and China in particular, play an important role in FIS operations. All federations have expressed strong interest and committed to supporting FIS Development initiatives all over the continent, with a focus on Alpine Skiing, Snowboard, and potentially Cross-Country. This partnership is expected to boost the promotion of snow sports in China, particularly in the southern regions, including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai and Hong Kong” -FIS Director for Development Programs, Dimitrije Lazarovski
The Ski Association of Hong Kong (SAHK) signed the same MoU with Bonski, who operates some of the largest indoor ski facilities in China including the new Huafa Snow World in Shenzhen which is the largest in the world.
SAHK will be able to operate activities such as FIS training, competitions, educational programs, and safety programs, all over mainland China. As part of the development of winter sports in Asia, the very first Asian Indoor Alpine Championships, Indoor Masters Ski & Snowboard Championships, and Asian Super G Championships are in the works for the near future.
“This signed MoU signifies the long-awaited development growth commitments from both sides and will cultivate athlete development and elevate competitive standards in China, Asia, and beyond. With the rapid growth of China’s indoor snow sports facilities in recent years, this MoU will surge accessibility and year-round participation of Asian countries.” – Edmond Yue, Chairman of the SAHK
In Shanghai, officials joined forces to sign the five-year MoU focused on key areas of collaboration including making Olympic and Paralympic winter sports popular across the city through joint events, grassroots programs, and school initiatives. There is also set to be a focus on inclusive, diverse pathways that widen participation and drive sustainable growth.
FIS will provide end-to-end technical support at the L+SNOW indoor ski dome, which will involve certifying pathways for international competitions, standardizing ski-rescue services, and providing real-time data management for slope operations.
All of this will help Shanghai Pudong Snow Sports Association (SPSSA) to host approved events with full logistical, marketing, and operational support to ensure a world-class end product.
“This is more than a signature; it is a gateway for Pudong to become a year-round hub for winter sports and for Shanghai to strengthen its position as a globally recognized sports city and premier tourist destination.” – Chi Wang, SPSSA President
Three years ago the Beijing Winter Olympics were underpinned with the message “Together for a shared future” with the hopes of 300 million people in snow sports. Since that initial messaging 346 million people have participated in these disciplines across China.
“It is proof that these principles are creating a sustainable legacy. It is my sincere hope that many skiers will continue to gather here to familiarize themselves with skiing and contribute to the development of snow sports.” – Aki Murasato, FIS Council Member and Chair of the Asian Ski Association
images from fis-ski.com
