SKI VM – Oslo 2011: Where are Norway's immigrants?

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The absence of Norwegian immigrants’ competitors - especially those with roots in Africa, Asia and Latin America - in the ongoing SKI VM in Oslo tells volumes how these people have ignored this Niche sport. The presence of Kenya’s athlete Philip Boit should encourage immigrants living in Norway to take this sport seriously. Boit’s only close encounter with snow in Kenya may have been the ice on the top of Mount Kenya, about 5,000 meters above the sea level. Although he might retire without having won a medal, nevertheless, he has made a name for himself and Kenya in the world of Ski championships starting with the Winter Olympic games in Nagano in 1998. Boit’s main challenge has been training because of lack of snow in Kenya. As such, he often travels to Europe for training.  Yet immigrants in Norway, living in the midst of snow and superb training facilities, do not value this sport.

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What is the reason behind the lack of interest in skiing among the immigrants? Perhaps most believe strongly in the ‘myth’ that you have to be born with Skis on your feet to be good in the sport.  While this may be a compelling obstacle for the first-generation immigrants who may hamper apprehensions on skiing, it may not be so for the second-generation immigrants who have had a go on skiing in school or other social circumstances. Well, whatever the case may be, Boit has shattered this myth. He has demonstrated that you do not have to be born with skis on your feet to compete. 

Another excuse may be that skiing is an expensive sport and only those with plentiful money can afford to take part. This is, however, just an excuse because money is not an obstacle to anyone with interest, desire and drive for achievement. Again, Boit has overcome this obstacle through interest, desire and determination.

Lack of interest and the perception that skiing is an elite sport are the main drawbacks for immigrant participation. The lack of interest was demonstrated when the Oslo Ski VM organisers’ carried out a campaign to recruit at least 10% of the volunteers during the championship from immigrants, only a decimal 3% response was realised from immigrants of non-Western countries background.  The bulk of immigrant volunteers came from Western countries such as Germany, Sweden and USA.

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Without exploring into other excuses that may exist, skiing is a niche sport that any immigrant living in Norway with interest, desire and determination can excel in and enter his or her name in the annals of skiing history. Immigrants have already made a name in other sports such as football, field athletics, boxing and weight lifting. Skiing awaits to be conquered.

This blog would like to promote interest in skiing sports among immigrants living in Norway. We welcome your comments and suggestions on how to realise this noble objective.

Alternatively, you may just take the challenge as an individual and pursue skiing sport as your dream.