STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: Tourist resort of Sonamarg is going to host its first ever National level event in Winter sports with 8th National SnowShoe Championship from February 17 to 20, 2024.
The championship would be hosted by J&K SnowShoe Association with active support from Sonamarg Development Authority of Tourism Kashmir and local stakeholders like Hoteliers.
SnowShoe Federation of India which is National governing body of Snow Shoe sport in Country has already granted hosting rights for the Sonamarg and the event is going to witness participation of more than 200 athletes and officials from 13 to 17 State/Union Territories of India.
Traditionally, it is Gulmarg that has been over the years hosting Winter-sport events and Sonamarg used to be close during winter months.
However, as the Tourist destination has been kept open for the winter season now, various sports association are contemplating on turning Sonamarg into a next Winter-sports destination of J&K.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sonamarg, Development Authority termed it great beginning with the bright future ahead.
“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 Winter sports event in Sonamarg. It will send a positive message all over Country and World about Sonamarg being next winter sport destination and in coming years Sonamarg may turn out as one of the premier winter resorts of Country,” CEO SDA said.
“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 require 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 said.
“The idea is to explore all tourist destinations across Kashmir other than the traditional ones for the benefit of local populace and stakeholders. That is going to help a great deal the locals as well as stakeholders who mostly run out of business during winter season,”he said.
SnowShoe Federation of India President Mir Mudassir said that idea behind granting hosting rights is to help destination in promoting winter tourism.
“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.
