National SnowShoe Championship Concludes at Sonamarg

Srinagar, Feb 18: The 9th National SnowShoe Championship-2025 concluded at the picturesque Sonamarg on Tuesday, marking another milestone in India’s growing winter sports scene. The two-day event witnessed participation from approximately 110 athletes representing 15-17 states across the country.
MLA Kangan, Mian Mehr Ali, was the chief guest at the closing ceremony and distributed medals among the winners. Other notable attendees included Tourism Officer Sonamarg Basharat Ahmed, SHO Sonamarg, and renowned athlete Reyaz Wani. Hailing the event as a game-changer for winter sports in the region, MLA Mehr Ali emphasized its significance in placing Sonamarg on the country’s winter sports map.
“I am delighted to see athletes from across the country competing here in Sonamarg. This championship will help establish Sonamarg as a premier winter sports destination,” he said. Expressing his commitment to promoting winter sports, he assured support for an even grander edition of the championship next year.
“We have ambitious plans for Sonamarg. Events like these will make those plans a reality, and I assure all possible assistance to the organizers for future editions. Snowshoeing is closely linked to tourism, and its growth will directly benefit Sonamarg,” he added. This was the second consecutive year that Sonamarg hosted the National SnowShoe Championship, following its successful organization of the 8th edition in 2024. The event was organized by the J&K SnowShoe Association in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Kashmir, under the aegis of the SnowShoe Federation of India.
SnowShoe Federation of India President Mir Mudassir extended his gratitude to MLA Kangan for his support and pledged continued collaboration. “Sonamarg has proven to be an excellent destination for snowshoeing, and athletes are loving it. The best part about snowshoeing is that it requires no major infrastructure development and remains one of the most affordable winter sports disciplines,” Mudassir stated. On the concluding day, thrilling competitions in sprint and relay events were held in both junior and senior categories across male and female sections. With growing enthusiasm and official backing, the future of winter sports in Sonamarg looks promising, setting the stage for more national and possibly international events in the coming years.