Sonmarg, Feb 15: The countdown for the primary ever Wintersport to be hosted by vacationer resort of Sonamarg has began with the disclosing of occasion devoted T-Shirts for the eighth National SnowShoe Championship 2024 at Sonamarg.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by Chief Executive Officer Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) Farooq Ahmad Baba, Hoteilers Association Sonamarg workplace bearers, and J&Ok SnowShoe Association General Secretary Dr Altaf ur Rehman, senior member Gulzar Khan and different officers of SDA.

The first ever nationwide stage winter sport in Sonamarg, eighth National SnowShoe Championship is scheduled to be held from February 17 to twenty.

It can be groundbreaking milestone within the winter sports activities historical past of J&Ok as it is going to be first time that any National stage main Winter sports activities occasion could be held in Sonamarg, away from conventional vacation spot like Gulmarg. 

The championship could be hosted by J&Ok SnowShoe Association in collaboration with Department of Tourism Kashmir with the complete help from native stakeholders like Hoteliers Association of Sonamarg. 

The occasion goes to witness participation of round 200 athletes and officers from 13 to 17 State/Union Territories of India.      

Traditionally, it’s Gulmarg that has been over time internet hosting Winter sport occasions and Sonamarg sued to be shut throughout winter months. However, because the Tourist vacation spot has been saved open for the winter season now, numerous sports activities affiliation are considering on turning Sonamarg right into a subsequent Winter sports activities vacation spot of J&Ok.

Chief Executive Officer SDA, termed it nice starting with the brilliant future forward.

“The preparations are held underway and with this unveiling the final countdown has started. The teams will be arriving in Kashmir on Febuary 17 while as competitions would be held on Febuary 18 and 19,” CEO SDA Farooq Ahmad Baba stated.

“This year we had started to roll up things by first conducting first ever Ice Skating and local level SnowShoe events in Sonamarg. Buoyed with that success we are now all set to host our first ever National level Winterspiorts event in Sonamarg. It will send a positive message all over Country and World about Sonamarg being next wintersport destination  and in coming years Sonamarg may turn out as one of the premier winter resorts of Country,” he stated.

“To conduct any level of National sporting event requires support and coordination from one and all. For this event we have got full support from Hoteliers who will be accommodating guest athletes and officials. Also infrastructure wise, SnowShoe doesn’t need mega infrastructure overhaul or development. It requires basic track and few inches of Snow that we already have. In that regard , we expect our first National level Winterport’s turning out as huge success ,” he stated.

“For winter, Gulmarg is world well-known ski resort and Kashmir’s winter is nearly absolutely revolving round Gulmarg. Tourism Department has been engaged on to discover different prospects and one such vacation spot is Sonamarg that has bought the perfect topography to show into subsequent excellent Wintersport vacation spot. That goes to assist an amazing deal the locals in addition to stakeholders who largely run out of enterprise throughout winter season. Once the hustle bustle is again in Winter, that may robotically assist Tourism sector. We all have to affix fingers for that and up to now our Hoteliers have proven an amazing enthusiasm,” he stated.

SnowShoe Federation of India President Mir Mudassir stated that concept behind granting internet hosting rights is to assist vacation spot in selling winter tourism.

“SnowShoe and Winter tourism go hand in hand. SnowShoe sports discipline is the only wintersports discipline that doesn’t require infrastructure upgrade or any special equipments and machinery. It is the only wintersport discipline that can be held in anywhere, where there is snow. For that reason, SnowShoe is ideal in holding events at the places that are traditionally not known for winter tourism. It is going to help promote those destinations as winter tourism destinations and in current case Sonamarg,” stated Mir Mudassir.

“The 8th National SnowShoe Championship 2024 is going to witness participation of more than 200 athletes and officials from 13 to 17 State/Union territories. It is going to be big event with competition held in Senior and Junior categories in both men and women sections. The championship is also going to act as selection event for the International SnowShoe Championship scheduled to be held in Dubai, UAE in August-September 2024,” he added.

The General Secretary J&Ok SnowShoe Association, Dr Alta fur Rehman thanked Sonamarg Development Authority and Hoteiliers Association Sonamarg for all the assistance with out which internet hosting occasion wouldn’t be potential.

“Today we have been right here to unveil the personalized T-Shirts for the occasion and in addition to evaluate ultimate arrangments. The response and help from each Tourism division and Hoteliers Association Sonamarg has been nice. Even the native stakeholders like guides, skido affiliation and many others are excited concerning the occasion,” Dr Altaf stated.