Gulmarg, January 6 (KNS) : The second National Curling Championship 2022-23 was inaugurated at Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir on 6th January, 2023 by Padma Shri Yogeshwar Dutt, Indian wrestler & Olympian in the presence of Dr Rashmi Saluja, Executive Chairperson, Religare Enterprises Ltd, & President, Curling Federation of India (CFI).
Religare Enterprises Ltd is supporting the Championship second year in a row. It is being attended by 300 participants & officials and 15 teams from across the country in various disciplines under the sub junior, junior and senior categories. The Jammu & Kashmir Curling Association is organising the tournament under the aegis of the Curling Federation of India (CFI) with support from the Jammu & Kashmir sports council.
Being also known as Chess on the Ice, Curling is much more complex and tense than many would imagine because of the amount of strategy involved.It involves players sliding heavy and polished stones on a sheet of ice towards a circular target. There are various categories in Curling including men’s, women’s and mixed doubles and wheelchair curling – as a Paralympic sport.
Dr Rashmi Saluja, Executive Chairperson, Religare Group and also the President, CFI, while declaring the championship, said,“I am elated to see the second edition of the National Curling Championship taking off in the serene and picturesque backdrop of Gulmarg’s snow-clad mountains. The event embodies the spirit of winter sports in India. The championship is another testament to Religare’s commitment to Curling in India. My heart gladdens at seeing how our efforts are gradually yielding results with India’s improved showing at global Curling events. Religare will continue to promote sports and athletics in the country in a meaningful way by sponsoring deserving athletes and sporting institutions. I would also like to acknowledge Indian Olympic Association’s contribution in promoting Curling in Indiaand thank them for their continued support to encourage it.”
Yogeshwar Dutt, Indian wrestler & Olympian and executive member, Indian Olympic Association, was also present at the event’s opening. While throwing the event open, he said, “I’m glad that winter sports is now getting its due in India. India is slowly warming up to sports that are traditionally considered non-mainstream. With the kind of support provided by Religare, I’m confident that India will produce champions in Curling. India’s sportsmen possess the potential to bring laurels to the country and events such as the National Curling Championship will nurture them.” (KNS)