After scaling Everest, ITBP attempts skiing from there

New Delhi, Oct 23 (UNI) After a high-risk adventure, for the first time ever Mount Everest climbing will have a sports component with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police skiing down the challenging heights coming summer.

Addressing the media, ITBP Director Vikram Srivastava said a 20-member team will not just scale the dizzy heights early next year but also undertake the till now unattainable sport of skiing down the mighty slopes.

''The team would move from the China side,'' he said, adding, ''Earlier a two-member foreign team had endeavoured but unfortunately died in the attempt.'' Led by DIG Harbhajan Singh, top skiers of the ITBP, who are presently undergoing rigorous high-altitude training, would form part of the team, he said.

''The team will proceed for the 'journey' in March and by the third or fourth week of May would undertake this daring attempt from Mount Everest.'' The scaling team, which would be exclusively of the ITBP, would be backed by another 20-member support staff, the DG added.

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