Srinagar: Srinagar SSP Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy (IPS) felicitated athletes and sports personalities during the closing ceremony of the National SnowShoe Coaching Camp 2026, held at Hotel Radisson Collection, Riverfront, Srinagar, on Friday.
The camp, organised by the J&K SnowShoe Association under the aegis of the SnowShoe Federation of India (SSFI), was part of India’s preparations for the World SnowShoe Championship 2027, scheduled to take place in Italy on January 5.
Athletes from Jammu and Kashmir and several other states, including Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab and Rajasthan, participated in the training programme. Those selected from outside the Union Territory had qualified for the camp based on their performances at the 10th National SnowShoe Championship held in Sonamarg during the previous winter season.
The coaching programme was conducted under the guidance of NIS-qualified coach Tahir Mir, who has been assigned responsibility for preparing the Indian contingent for the World Championship. International SnowShoe athlete Muzamil Mir also contributed to the programme.
Dr Chakravarthy was received by J&K SnowShoe Association President Tariq Ghani, Vice President Arif Laigaroo, SSFI Vice President Harish Kumar and Association Vice President Advocate Suhaib Mir.
Dr Meena Sharma, Member of the Delhi State Legal Services Authority; J&K SnowShoe Association General Secretary Dr Altaf ur Rehman; Chamber of Commerce representatives; and association members Reyaz Wani, Tahir Mir and Gulzar Khan were also present.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tariq Ghani expressed gratitude to the SSP for encouraging the athletes and supporting the promotion of sports among young people. He said such interactions could boost the confidence of athletes preparing to represent the country at an international competition.
Ghani also congratulated Dr Chakravarthy on the Srinagar Police’s reported success in dismantling a major narcotics network, highlighting the importance of sports in providing young people with positive opportunities and keeping them engaged in constructive activities.
Arif Laigaroo praised the SSP’s encouragement of sportspersons and his emphasis on extracurricular activities. He said sports could play a significant role in addressing drug abuse and other social challenges by promoting discipline, fitness and teamwork.
Welcoming the visiting athletes, Dr Chakravarthy said he was pleased to see participants from different parts of India training alongside local athletes in Srinagar.
“You are our guests, and I am happy to see young athletes from outside J&K joining our athletes for this camp being held in preparation for the World Championship,” he said.
The SSP noted that SnowShoe running requires considerable endurance, physical conditioning and commitment. Recalling having witnessed the sport in Andhra Pradesh, he said he understood the effort needed to perform well in the discipline.
He underlined the role of sports in building healthy lifestyles, encouraging discipline and steering young people away from drug abuse and other harmful influences. He also extended his best wishes to the athletes and expressed hope that the Indian team would achieve success at the championship in Italy.
As part of the closing ceremony, certificates of appreciation were distributed among athletes who had travelled from outside Jammu and Kashmir to attend the camp.
Several individuals were also honoured for their contributions to sports and related fields. The awardees included coach Tahir Mir for preparing the Indian contingent; international SnowShoe athlete Muzamil Mir; long-distance runner Zahid Rafiq Kota, recognised for documenting 200 alpine lakes across Kashmir and Ladakh; veteran watersports and survival expert Reyaz Wani; veteran Srinagar athlete Mushtaq; Gurdeep Khokhar, Secretary of the Chandigarh Association; Amit, Secretary of the Delhi Association; and Diphi Jain, an official from Haryana.
The conclusion of the camp marks another stage in India’s preparations for the World SnowShoe Championship 2027. With athletes from multiple states participating in a common training programme, the initiative also reflects efforts to strengthen the sport’s national footprint and prepare a competitive Indian contingent for the international event.
