After an early snowfall this season, the Tourism Department today kick-started winter sports activities at north Kashmir’s ski resort of Gulmarg with a snowshoe run and skiing event.
Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Mahmood A Shah flagged off the run and the athletes ran seven kilometres. Later, Shah also flagged off skiing at the slopes, marking the beginning of the winter sports in Gulmarg.
Speaking on the occasion, Shah said Gulmarg was the “main USP” for tourism which received tourists from all over the globe. “Today we have formally inagurated the winter sports with snowshoe running and also with skiing,” he added.
Shah said snowshoe was a popular sport in Europe and American countries. He said they were promoting it for the past three years in a big way.
The event was organised by Snowshoe Federation of India in collaboration with the Tourism Department. Thirtytwo athletes hailing from various parts of the Valley took part in the race where Umer Farooq of Srinagar finished first while Ifshan of Narbal finished second and Sheikh Saqib third.
Shameem Ahmad, managing director, Cable Car, was the guest of honour on the occasion. Deputy Director, Tourism, Peerzada Zahoor; Snowshoe Federation of India president Mir Mudassar; Gondola general manager Reyaz Malik; and Assistant Director, Tourism, Ilyas were also present on the occasion.
Winter sports begin at Gulmarg
