Ifshan Ahmad, Muzamil Mir and Auquib secured top three positions as top athletes of valley competed at around 8530 feet above sea level during Senior SnowShoe championship held at Kongdori, Gulmarg, J&K on Sunday.
In the championship that was held at Gondola first phase, long distance athletes Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal, Baramulla districts participated.
The championship was organized by SnowShoe Federation of India in collaboration with Amblin, J&K Tourism and was sponsored by J&K Bank and J&K Cable Car Corporation.
SnowShoe Athletes in action during championship at Kongdori, Gulmarg-Kashmir. Pic/KSW
The event was flagged off by known sports promoter Arif Laigaroo along with Ranji Trophy cricketer Ahmad Banday, International Cyclist Akber Khan and International SnowShoe athlete Gulzar Khan.
Ifshan Ahmad of Budgam finished first while as Mumzamil Mir of Islamia College Srinagar finished second. Auquib Ahmad of Budgam finished third. The fourth place was shared by Umer Farooq of Srinagar and Umer Hameed of Budgam. Abrar of Baramullah finished fifth.
Later prize distribution ceremony was held at Gulmarg in which Managing Director J&K cable Car Corporation, Shamim Ahmad Wani was chief guest while as Arif Laigaroo, Assistant Director Tourism Gulmarg Nasir Mehmood Khan, J&K cable Car Corporation official Fayaz Ahmad and President SnowShoe Federation of India Mir Mudassar were other guests present.
SnowShoe Athletes in action during championship at Kongdori, Gulmarg-Kashmir. Pic/KSW
After giving away prizes, Shamim Ahmad Wani assured athletes that J&K Cable Car Corporation will promote SnowShoe sport and activity across its different platforms. He said that his department is always ready to help promote tourism related sports activity.
Arif Laigaroo on the occasion said that SnowShoe activity and sports is getting popular in the J&K and time is not far when it will be as popular in J&K as it is in European Countries and USA.
SnowShoe Athletes in action during championship at Kongdori, Gulmarg-Kashmir. Pic/KSW
President SSFI, Mir Mudassar while giving details about SnowShoe activity and the sports in Country as well in J&K said, “Slowly and steady we are getting where we want this activity and sports to be. We started with mere eight pairs of TSL Outdoors SnowShoe equipment and today we have got around 38 pairs including that of Tourism department. That is some achievement”.
He said that SSFI will try to hold SnowShoe competition for senior again after Ramadhan on Thajwas glacier in Sonamarg.