Srinagar: The 10th National Snow Shoe Championship commenced at Sonamarg on Saturday, bringing together nearly 180 athletes from 20 States and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for a two-day event aimed at promoting winter sports and adventure tourism.
The championship was flagged off by Syed Sajad Qamar, Director, Tourism Kashmir, in the presence of SDM Kangan Nazir Ahmed Bhat and CEO Sonamarg Bilal Mukhtar.
Participants from across India are competing in multiple categories during the championship. One of the competitors, Akbar Ali, expressed happiness at taking part and said he secured first position in the opening phase, urging more youth to participate in such sporting activities.
Syed Sajad Qamar, Director, Tourism Kashmir, said the championship reflected the region’s strong potential for winter tourism, adding that its natural slopes and terrain are well suited for skiing and other snow-based activities. He said the Tourism Department is committed to promoting the destination prominently on the national winter tourism map and will extend full support to initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector.
He said tourist inflow to the Valley has shown improvement this season and that steps are being taken to enhance infrastructure. A drag lift installed at the site by the cable car corporation will be made operational on priority, he added, while stressing that local youth would be encouraged to participate in winter sports to build a trained pool of guides and adventure tourism professionals.
