According to a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), championship was inaugurated by CEO Gulmarg Ghulam Zargar Jeelani in presence of Assistant Director Tourism Dr Javid Ur Rehman, Assistant Director Tourism Kashmir Zeeshan Khan, SnowShoe Federation of India (SSFI) Mir Mudassir, J&K SnowShoe Association Tariq Zargar, WGAJK President Mohammad Abbas Wani, SHO Gulmarg and other guests.

 

The statement reads that the championship is witnessing participation of around 100 athletes representing 10 State teams, HAWS and ITBP teams.

 

“On the inaugural day long distance events in senior male, female and Junior boys, girls categories were held.”

 

Speaking on the occasion Chief Guest Ghulam Zargar Jeelani said that it is great to see such a mega event being held in Gulmarg.

 

"SnowShoe is new concept in India and Kashmir and to see its National event being held is new milestone. I welcome all of you and wish you best of luck," Jeelani said.

 

Assistant Director Tourism Dr Javid ur Rehman said that new dimension has been added to the winter sports with the conduct of SnowShoe activity.

 

"It is not just about skiing now, it is about SnowShoeing events and activity as well now. It can be held without infrastructural upgrade or can be held anywhere where there is snow. We have to host many more events in coming time," Dr Javid said.

 

SSFI President Mir Mudassir giving brief about the SnowShoe background and the event said that the activity is getting popular in India.

 

"We started SnowShoe journey in India in 2015 and today we have established our units in all over India. From four member contingent that took part in World SnowShoe Championship in the year 2016 to having thousands of athletes regularly participating in the events, we have taken big stride," Mudassir said.

 

"For J&K hosting National Championship in SnowShoe is next big thing and we are considering to pitch for International competition in future. That International competition if approved by World Body would be held in Gulmarg," he added.

 

Assistant Director Tourism Zeeshan Khan termed the participants who have come from various parts of India for participation as ambassadors of Kashmir Tourism.

WGAJK President Mohammad Abbas Wani also spoke on the occasion.

 

The event is going to conclude on Sunday with sprint events scheduled to be held.

 

Day 1: J&K bags 3 medals Uttarkhandh dominated the first day of the competition while as J&K bagged three medals as 6th National SnowShoe championship started at Gulmarg on Saturday.

 

In senior men category, Vishal of Maharashtra finished first while as Sandeep Singh of Punjab and Muzamil Hussain of J&K finished third.

In senior women category, Priya of Uttrakhandh finished first while as Dhanalakshmi of Karnataka finished second. 

 

Prince Kumari of ITBP finished third. In junior boys category, Ayush Dimri, Adil Fayaz of J&K and Ayush Bhat of Uttrakhandh bagged first three positions.

 

In junior girls category, J&K's Sara bagged gold medal while as Trisha of Pondicherry and Sapna of Uttrakhandh finished second and third respectively. (KNS)