Srinagar: The J&K SnowShoe Association in collaboration with Department of Tourism Kashmir is all set to host 9th National SnowShoe Championship from February 17.
One of the biggest annual winter sport events is going to witness participation of around 110 athletes from around 15-17 State/Union Territories of Country.
Last year it was Sonamarg, that hosted the event and this time it is back at traditional winter sport venue of Gulmarg. The event is backed by SnowShoe Federation of India and full support from Tourism department of Kashmir as Snow Shoe running is inter-related with Tourism activity.
“All the preparations are in place and the event would be held from February 16 to 19. The athletes would arrive in Kashmir on 16 while as inauguration would be held at Gulmarg on February 17. The closing ceremony would be held on February 18 and visiting teams would depart on 19. It is going to be one of the season’s biggest winter sport events and would be held under the banner of Tourism Department Kashmir,” said General Secretary J&K Snow Shoe Association Dr Altaf ur Rehman.
“We are highly thankful to Director Tourism Kashmir Raja Yaqoob Farooq and Deputy Director Tourism Recreation Malik Waseem for the full-fledged support and help. Without the support of Tourism, hosting event of this level isn’t possible,” he said.
SnowShoe Federation of India President Mir Mudassar said that Snow Shoe running discipline is based in Kashmir and is iter-related with Tourism.
“More than the Sport, it is Tourism related activity that everyone can do who visits Snowbound locations. In India, SnowShoe running is fastest growing winter sport activity with Kashmir being its torchbearer. Over the years with the support of Tourism Kashmir, athletes from Kashmir have excelled in this discipline at both National and International level,” Mir Muddassar said.
“We at SnowShoe Federation of India extend our full support to J&K Association and we are confident that event is going to turn out as huge success,” he said.
In the event athletes from, J&K, Ladakh,Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Uttarakhandh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Pondicherry are going to participate in both male and female categories.
SnowShoe running is also back in 5th Khelo India Winter Games as Demo.Sport while as was also recently part of first ever All India Inter-University Winter Games held in Gulmarg.
“It is very popular sport and every day activity in Europe and North America. In India it is growing very rapidly not just as a sport but as activity. We are sure that in coming times more people will visit Kashmir to do SnowShoeing rather than Skiing. Anyone can do it and it is also way cheaper than skiing,” Mir added.
