Srinagar, September 12 (KNS) : Srinagar will host the National SnowShoe Running Coaching Camp for the World SnowShoe Championship-2027 from October 7 to 10, with shortlisted athletes from across the country set to hparticipate alongside some of the top SnowShoe runners from Jammu & Kashmir.

The four-day camp will play a crucial role in the selection of the final Indian contingent for the World SnowShoe Championship-2027, scheduled to be held in Fondo, Trentino, Italy, on January 5, 2027.

The shortlisted athletes from different parts of India will attend the camp, where they will train alongside leading J&K athletes before the final team for the World Championship is selected.

The camp will be conducted under the guidance of Coach Tahir Mir, who has been assigned the responsibility of leading the Indian contingent at the World Championship.

“We will be hosting the National Coaching Camp for the World Championship and are hopeful that a strong team for the World Championship will be selected through the camp,” said Tariq Ghani, President, J&K SnowShoe Association.

The coaching camp will be held under the auspices of the SnowShoe Federation of India and will be among several major SnowShoe running activities and events planned in Jammu & Kashmir during the upcoming season.

Naseem Chaya, Senior Vice President of the J&K SnowShoe Association, said J&K has played a pioneering role in the development and promotion of SnowShoe running in the region.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“J&K is the base of SnowShoe sport not only in India but across South Asia. We have been pioneers in promoting this sport and activity. The National Camp will be hosted by the J&K SnowShoe Association under the banner of the SnowShoe Federation of India. During the upcoming winter season, J&K is going to host various jSnowShoe activities and events throughout the winter,” Chaya said.

Highlighting the tourism potential of the sport, Ghani said SnowShoe running can become an important winter activity for visitors to J&K as it is accessible and does not require specialised technical training or expensive equipment.

“SnowShoe running is more than an endurance sport. It is an attractive winter activity for everyone, including tourists. It does not require technical training, costly equipment or even heavy snowfall. Anyone who can walk can participate. Tourism Department should promote it as a major winter activity, as is being done in several European countries. We hope SnowShoeing will be promoted as a major winter activity well in advance by the department,” he added.

The J&K SnowShoe Association is expected to organise a series of activities during the forthcoming winter season, further strengthening the region's position as a hub for SnowShoe running and winter sports.(KNS)