Sonamarg, Feb 17 (KNO): The 9th National SnowShoe Championship-2025 commenced here in Central Kashmir on Monday.
Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) the event has been organised by J&K SnowShoe Association in collaboration with the Department of Tourism under the auspices of SnowShoe Federation of India. “It is being held with an aim to promote Sonamarg as the next best winter sport destination in the country,” they added.
The championship got off to a grand start with former cricketer turned social activist Sayim Mustafa along with Chief Executive Officer Sonamarg Development Authority Ghulam Mohammad Bhat inaugurating the opening races.
The officials said that around 110 athletes from around 15-17 States/Union Territories are participating in the event.
Terming it a new beginning and a new hope for the winter sports in J&K, Sayim Mustafa said, "I learnt that last year, the National SnowShoe Championship was successfully held in Sonamarg, and this year, the J&K SnowShoe Association has upheld its commitment to the destination by organizing another grand event,” he said.
“I warmly welcome all the athletes to Sonamarg and hope they will promote it on a larger scale when they return home," Sayim said.
President of SnowShoe Federation of India Mir Mudassir later visited the race venue along with former International skier Shabir Wani and interacted with the visiting athletes.
"We have assured the local administration and the Tourism Department that we will promote Sonamarg as a premier winter sports destination. So far, we have successfully upheld this promise by hosting a successful National SnowShoe Championship," said Mir Mudassir.
"We had also proposed hosting SnowShoe events as part of the Khelo India Winter Games in Sonamarg, as this sport can be conducted anywhere without requiring major infrastructure upgrades. Unfortunately, due to climate-related challenges like reduced snowfall, we had to postpone KIWG 2025. However, such issues would not have impacted SnowShoe events," he added.
LONG DISTANCE RACES HELD
Meanwhile, on Monday long distance races for both males and females were held.
In the men long distance race, Waseem Raja of J&K bagged the gold medal while Javeed Bashir of J&K bagged silver. Nasrullah Elya of Ladakh bagged silver.
In the long distance junior boys race Ladakh dominated by making a clean sweep. Mohammad Baqir, Asif Ali and Bilal Abbas of Ladakh bagged gold, silver and bronze medals.
In senior women long distance race, Dhanalakshmi of Karnataka bagged gold, Latha A of Karnataka bagged silver while Medeha of J&K bagged bronze medal.
In junior girls long distance event J&K made a clean sweep, Shaista of J&K bagged the gold medal while Yasmeena and Aamina Mukhtar both of J&K won silver and bronze medals respectively.
The competitions will continue on Tuesday with sprint and relay races scheduled.
The medal ceremony is also scheduled later in the evening with MLA Kangan Mian Mehr scheduled to be the chief guest at the ceremony—(KNO)