Srinagar, Sep 01 (KNO): Kashmir’s premier tourist destination, Gulmarg, is set to host its first-ever international mountain sports Zabarvan Legends series, as it prepares to welcome top riders from countries such as Indonesia, Lebanon, Australia and Iran.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Sehan Shetty, founder of Zabarvan, said the event is an “exclusive” first-of-its-kind initiative in Kashmir.
“There are 50 confirmed registrations, and among them, around 25 are international mountain bikers who are champions in their fields," he said.
The Gulmarg event will mark the beginning of the series in India, he said, adding that it is going to be a grand anniversary calendar event, as Zabarvan is completing its two years.
The three-day event will see top riders race through challenging alpine trails, cutting across meadows, forests and steep descents, testing stamina, skill and endurance.
Organisers said the course is designed not only to push athletes but also to highlight Gulmarg’s untapped potential as a year-round outdoor sports hub, beyond its globally famed winter slopes.
Shetty said Zabarvan, founded two years ago, has emerged as a premier adventure sports organisation in India. “We have provided world-class alpine experiences in the Himalayan landscapes and trained several international-level athletes, including Adil Teli and Zubair Lone, a gold medalist,” he added.
Supported by the Jammu & Kashmir government and leading partners, the Gulmarg leg will kick off a multi-leg series that will later move to Shillong and Guwahati, linking some of India’s most scenic mountain regions under one sporting banner.
According to organisers, the Zabarvan Legends Series is envisioned not merely as a sporting event but as a movement to promote adventure sports, sustainable tourism and community engagement in India’s highland regions—(KNO)