Srinagar, Mar 14 (KNS): Director Tourism, Kashmir, Dr GN Itoo on Monday unveiled the medals, customized T-Shirts and caps of the upcoming 6th National Snowshoe Championship that is going to be held at famous ski resort of Gulmarg from March 18 to 21.
In a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), a spokesperson said that the 6th Snow-Shoe Championship organized by J&K Snowshoe Association in collaboration with Directorate of Tourism Kashmir and under the auspices of Snow-Shoe Federation of India will witness participation of more than 100 athletes, both male and female from 14 States and Union territories.
The statement reads that director unveiled medals and other souvenir in the presence of Deputy Director Tourism Dr Alyas Nasir, Deputy Director Tourism Publicity Dr Debah Khalid, Assistant Director Tourism Zeeshan Khan, President Ski Mountaineering Association of India Rauf Tramboo, General Secretary J&K Carrom Association Adil Shah, Director Competition National SnowShoe Association Dr Altaf ur Rehman and others.
It reads that athletes for the event would be arriving on March 18. "On March 19 inauguration would be held in Gulmarg followed by long distance events in both male and female categories. On March 20 short distance sprint events are scheduled to be held in both male and female categories in Gulmarg bowl and Kongdoori followed by prize distribution ceremony in the evening. On March 21 athletes would depart from Gulmarg towards their home destinations."
Speaking about the event, Director Tourism Dr GN Itoo said that sport of SnowShoe is getting popular all over India and the nationals are going to witness participation from almost every part of Country.
"SnowShoe is running event done using SnowShoe. It is an easy activity unlike Skiing that needs specialized training. The only thing required for SnowShoe is stamina and endurance of competing in long distance running," he said.
President SSFI, Mir Muddasir expressed his gratitude to Tourism department Kashmir for giving its full support for the event.
"We are getting full support from the department for the event that knows that this activity has got immense potential. Without their support the event can't held in a way that we wanted it to be held. We will also be getting on ground support from HAWS at the venue during competition days," he said.
He said that Nationals would act as the base for selecting Indian athletes for the World SnowShoe Championship and other International competitions.
"Though we have already finalized India team for World SnowShoe Championship 2022 Argentina, but we will still keep eye on athletes that would be competing during the Nationals. Also for other International events , athletes would also be shortlisted," Mir said.
He said that SnowShoe has got huge potential and can be held in any part of J&K. "We would like to have events in Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Yousmarg, Doadhpathri and other destinations. It is only activity in winter sports that doesn't need infrastructure upgrade," he added. (KNS)