The first-ever State Canoe Polo Championship concluded here at Nagieen Lake on Tuesday. The maiden championship, jointly organized by Tourism Department and J&K Kayaking & Canoeing Association, was inaugurated on August 8. In the final match, Living Kashmir Club-B defeated KKR Club by 2-1 goals while Mehdi Club bagged 3rd position.
The championship witnessed huge participation of 8 male and 2 female teams from different places. Shailendar Kumar Commissioner Secretary tourism and culture was the chief guest and Farooq Shah, MD JKTDC/Director Tourism was guest of honor on the concluding function.The scintillating final match was played among large gathering of tourists, water sports enthusiasts and the members of travel trade fraternity.
In his speech, Shailnder highlighted the scope for adventure tourism in the state.
He expressed his full support to the adventure tourism promoting organizations and the tourism department for promoting and developing adventure tourism in the state.
Farooq Shah said that the department has raised huge infrastructure for adventure tourism and efforts are afoot to hold major adventure tourism/sports events in the Kashmir province shortly.
He also informed that J&K State is all set to host the 6th National Winter Games at Gulmarg during winter this year.
Besides, the tourism department has made all preparations for hosting the Kashmir Cup International Rafting Championship on the waters of River Sindh at Sonamarg.
The President ATOAK, Rauf Tramboo informed that his organization is well organized to conduct many adventure based activities but for that they need assistance and support from tourism department. He said that there is need to train the manpower to different subjects of the adventure. He informed that ATOAK is planning to hold a first-aid workshop for the registered tourist guides of the valley.
Knowing first-aid and rescue work is very important for every guide and amateur mountaineers. President J&K Ski & Mountaineering Association Muhammad Yusuf said there is tremendous need to develop water sports as we have scores of water bodies in Srinagar.
“We need to create few Aquatic Parks at some selected places on these lakes for the intended tourists,” he said.
On the occasion medals and mementoes were given to the participants, winners and to Naseer Mir ATO for conducting the championsip smoothly and successfully.
The vote of thanks was passed by Dy Director Tourism (Recreation) Ghulam Jeelani Zargar.
He thanked to all those organizations including LAWDA, JKKCA, ATOAK and Nigeen Club management for extending their full support to make the endeavor a grand success.
