PANAJI: World Rafting Federation (WRF) president, Danilo Barmaz has hailed India’s rafting pioneer Shaukat Pal Singh Sikand, who has recently been elected on the Board of Directors at WRF, as the representative of the Asian continent.
Under the leadership of veteran Shaukat Sikand, who is also the president of The Indian Rafting Foundation, the sport has grown across India and various post-pandemic events are being planned at the national and international level.
Highlighting the efforts being put in by Shaukat Sikand since decades in India, WRF president Barmaz told www.livenewsgoa.com that the world governing body for the sport is banking on the Indian rafting legend for guidance.
“Within the framework of the federation, it is a great pleasure to welcome Mr Shaukat to the board of directors as Asia referent. Deserved election for the enormous work done in these first years of WRF, I am sure that thanks to the skills and passion of people like Mr. “Shauki” the future of rafting can and will be bright,” said Barmaz.
On his inspirational election on the Board, Shaukat Sikand expressed delight and also exuded tremendous energy while promising to propel the sport of rafting to the top of the list of adventure sport variants in Asia. “I am extremely grateful to the members of the World Rafting Federation to have voted for me to be part of the board of directors representing Asia. With it comes great responsibility to make rafting popular among the youth and make it the number 1 adventure sport in Asia,” he told the Goa-based positive news startup web-channel.
“By becoming part of the board of directors, I can help strategic planning and bring in better energy and strength to Asia,” added Shaukat Sikand, who becomes the first Indian to be elected to the WRF board of directors.
Among the events being planned under Shaukat Sikand’s dynamic vision are: WRF Asian Rafting Championship in Himachal Pradesh, All-India Rafting Marathon Series in 17 states over the next two years starting with Goa later this year, 15th National Rafting Championship in December in Arunachal Pradesh, 16th National Rafting Championship in Uttarakhand, 4th Kashmir Cup on river Sindh Sonamarg in Kashmir and the highest international rafting championship on river Indus / Zanskar in Ladakh.
Meanwhile, Danilo Barmaz also thanked WRF members for his re-election as President. “Fresh from the success of the world championships in France, I am proud and thank you for my re-election as president of the WRF,” he added.
