Srinagar, Sept 14: The Jammu and Kashmir SnowShoe Association on Sunday announced an ambitious expansion plan to take the winter sport to more destinations across the Union Territory, develop Gulmarg as a flagship SnowShoe racing venue and seek the hosting of the 11th National Championship at Sonamarg.
The plans were discussed at the Association’s Annual General Meeting held at the Radisson Collection Hotel and Spa, Riverfront Srinagar, with the body also deciding to push for greater availability of SnowShoe equipment and closer coordination with the J&K Tourism Department to promote the sport as a winter tourism activity.
The AGM was chaired by Association President Tariq Ghani and attended by Vice Presidents Arif Laigaroo and Advocate Suhaib Mir, General Secretary Dr Altaf-ur-Rehman, Treasurer Muzamil Hussain, Joint Secretary Aaqid Kanth and members Reyaz Wani, Gulzar, Ahsan Ali, Tahir Mir, Akber, Abid and others.
Senior Vice President Naseem Chaya, who had to leave early, also presented his views before leaving the meeting.
The Association reviewed the previous season’s activities and achievements and chalked out plans aimed at increasing participation, improving competitive standards and taking SnowShoe racing to more winter destinations.
J&K hosted the 10th National SnowShoe Championship at Sonamarg in February, with athletes from 20 States and Union Territories taking part. The hosts emerged overall champions.
The Association also organised the inaugural Gulmarg 5K SnowShoe Race, which attracted more than 70 male endurance athletes. It now plans to develop the event into an annual flagship race with participation from across the country.
SnowShoe activities were also conducted at Doodhpathri, Sonamarg, Kokernag, Srinagar and Mamneth during the previous season.
The international potential of local athletes was highlighted by Muzamil Hussain’s third-place finish in his age category at Ciaspolada 2026 in Italy.
CM backs SnowShoe expansion
The AGM was briefed about a recent meeting between the Association’s General Secretary, the General Secretary of the SnowShoe Federation of India and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The Association presented its plans for expanding SnowShoe activities across J&K during the meeting, with the Chief Minister expressing support for several proposals and sharing his vision of developing SnowShoe as a major winter sports activity in the region.
CM also expressed interest in participating in the Gulmarg 5K SnowShoe Race during the coming season.
National coaching camp in Srinagar
The Association has proposed a national SnowShoe coaching camp in Srinagar from October 7 to 10.
Around 25 shortlisted athletes from different parts of the country are expected to attend the camp under coach Tahir Ahmad Mir. Medal-winning J&K athletes will also be given an opportunity to train alongside national-level competitors.
The camp will focus on improving the competitive standards of Indian SnowShoe athletes and preparing them for international competitions.
Focus on World Championship
The Association will initiate preparations for the selection of J&K athletes for the World SnowShoe Championship 2027 in Italy.
All medal-winning J&K athletes will be considered or invited for the selection and preparation process. Final participation, however, will depend on factors including funding, availability of valid passports and travel documents, visa clearance, fitness, competitive readiness and other logistical requirements.
The Association said it would seek to provide maximum opportunities to deserving athletes while keeping the final contingent financially and logistically feasible.
Sonamarg bid for 11th National Championship
The AGM proposed that J&K should seek the hosting of the 11th National SnowShoe Championship 2027 at Sonamarg.
The Association noted that Sonamarg has hosted the last three National SnowShoe Championships and has emerged as an important venue for national-level competition.
It will hold discussions with the Tourism Department and submit a formal proposal for the championship, with early planning to cover venue preparation, accommodation, transport, equipment, volunteers, medical and safety arrangements, promotion and sponsorship.
More races at winter destinations
The Association plans to organise SnowShoe races and promotional activities at Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Poonch/Bhaderwah, Sonamarg and Doodhpathri, besides other suitable snow destinations.
It said advance planning would be necessary because of changing snowfall patterns, while maintaining flexibility to organise events when suitable snow conditions become available.
The Association pointed out that SnowShoe requires comparatively less snow accumulation than several other winter sports, allowing competitions and recreational activities to be organised at relatively short notice.
Equipment availability a priority
Increasing the availability of SnowShoes has been identified as one of the Association’s major priorities.
The Association and the SnowShoe Federation of India currently have limited equipment, which it said is inadequate to support the proposed expansion.
It plans to approach the J&K Tourism Department for procurement of both racing SnowShoes for competitive athletes and championships and recreational and trekking SnowShoes for tourists, beginners and adventure activities.
The Association also proposes exploring mechanisms to make SnowShoe equipment available at major tourist destinations.
It said greater equipment availability could help establish J&K as a SnowShoeing hub in India and open the sport to a wider section of the population.
The Association acknowledged the support extended by the J&K Tourism Department during the previous season and said stronger institutional coordination with the department would be important for taking the sport forward.
The AGM identified expansion of SnowShoe activities, equipment procurement, development of the Gulmarg 5K, hosting of national-level competitions, preparation of J&K athletes for the 2027 World Championship and integration of SnowShoe with winter tourism as key priorities for the coming season.
