J&K Dominate Day 1
Srinagar 17 Feb(KNB): The 9th National SnowShoe Championship-2025 got off to a grand start at wintery Sonamarg on Monday.
The event organised by J&K SnowShoe Association in colaboration with Department of Tourism under the auspices of SnowShoe Federation of India is being held with the aim to promote Sonamarg as the next best Wintersport destination in Country.
The championship got off to a grand start with former J&K Cricketer turned Social Activist Sayim Mustafa inaugrating the opening races alongwith CEO Sonamarg Development Authority Gh. Mohammad Bhat and Tourist Officer Basharat Ahmed.
Around 110 athletes representing around 15-17 States/Union Territories of Country are participating in the event.
Terming it a new beginning and a new hope for the wintersport in J&K, Sayim Mustafa said that he is happy to see such a event being hosted in Sonamarg.
“I have learnt that last year National SnowShoe championship was held in Sonamarg and this time J&K SnowShoe Association has continued its pledge with the destination by conducting another grand event. I welcome all the athletes to Sonamarg and hope they promote Sonamarg at grand scale when they go back to their places,” Sayim said.
SnowShoe Federation of India Mir Mudassir later visited the race venue alongwith Former International skier Shabir Wani and took stock of the events and interacted with visiting athletes.
“We have made comittment with the local adminstration in Sonamarg and also with Toursim Department Kashmir to promote Sonamarg as winter sport destination. We have been able to do that so far by hosting sucessfull National SnowShoe Championship,” said Mir Mudassir.
“We had also proposed to host SnowShoe events of Khelo India Winter Games in Sonamarg as this is the event that can be easily held anywhere as it doesnt require any infrastructure upgrade. Today due to climate issues like less snow we had to postpone KIWG 2025, but that wouldn’t have been case with the SnowShoe,” he said.
Meanwhile on Monday long distance races in both male and female sections were held.
In men Long Distance race, Waseem Raja of J&K bagged gold medal while as Javeed Bashir of J&K bagged silver. Nasrullah Elya of Ladakh bagged silver.
In Long Distance junior boys race Ladakh dominated by making clean sweep. Mohammad Baqir, Asif Ali and Bilal Abbas of Ladakh bagged gold, silver and bronze medals.
In senior women long distance race, Dhanalakshmi of Karnataka bagged gold, Latha A of Karnataka bagged silver while as Medeha of J&K bagged bronze medal.
In junior girls long distance event J&K made clean sweep, Shaista of J&K bagged gold medal while as Yasmeena and Aamina Mukhtar both of J&K bagged silver and bronze medal respectively.
The competitions will continue on Tuesday with sprint and relay races scheduled. The medal ceremony is also scheduled later in the evening with MLA Kangan Mian Mehr is scheduled to be chief guest at the ceremony.(KNB)