Srinagar: Nuzhat Gul, Secretary of the J&K Advisory Board for Development of Kisans and former Secretary of the J&K Sports Council, interacted with national SnowShoe running athletes at the ongoing National Coaching Camp in Srinagar on Friday, encouraging them to prepare with dedication for the World SnowShoe Championship 2027 in Italy.
Gul, who has also served as Managing Director of the Golf Development Authority and held administrative responsibilities with RSGC and KGC, shared her experience in sports administration and event management with the athletes. She encouraged the campers to make the most of the training programme ahead of the international championship scheduled for January 5, 2027.
Addressing the athletes, Gul said she was pleased to interact with sportspersons preparing to represent India on the international stage and appreciated the initiative to organise a coaching camp well in advance of the championship.
“You are all our ambassadors who will represent our country at the grandest stage in SnowShoe sport at the upcoming World SnowShoe Championship. It is good to see you preparing early and attending a coaching camp well before the event,” she said.
Highlighting the physical demands of SnowShoe running, Gul said the discipline requires exceptional endurance, strength, stamina and physical conditioning. She noted that running at high altitudes and on snow while using specialised equipment makes the sport particularly challenging.
“SnowShoe running is not an easy sport. It requires extra effort, endurance, strength and stamina. One needs to be in excellent physical shape to become a SnowShoe runner. When you see athletes running on snow at high altitudes while wearing additional equipment, you realise the effort and motivation the sport demands,” she said.
Gul encouraged the athletes to continue working hard and serve as role models for the younger generation. She stressed that sports can play a vital role in promoting a healthy lifestyle and steering young people away from drug abuse and other social evils.
During the interaction, the former Sports Council Secretary also shared experiences from major sporting events organised in Jammu and Kashmir during her tenure. Drawing lessons from the journeys of renowned sportspersons, she motivated the athletes to remain focused, disciplined and committed to their goals.
She emphasised the importance of sustained preparation, determination and learning from successful athletes as the Indian contingent builds towards the international competition.
The interaction was attended by J&K SnowShoe Association Vice President Arif Laigaroo, SnowShoe Federation of India (SSFI) Vice President Harish Kumar, Association Vice President Advocate Suhaib Mir, General Secretary Dr Altaf ur Rehman, and association members Reyaz Wani, Tahir Mir and Gulzar Khan.
The National SnowShoe Coaching Camp has been organised by the J&K SnowShoe Association under the aegis of the SnowShoe Federation of India as part of India’s preparations for the World SnowShoe Championship 2027 in Italy.
Athletes from Jammu and Kashmir and several other states, including Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab and Rajasthan, are participating in the camp. Those shortlisted from outside J&K earned selection through their performances at the 10th National SnowShoe Championship held in Sonamarg during the previous winter season.
The camp provides the athletes an opportunity to train together, strengthen their physical conditioning and prepare for the challenges of international competition. With the World Championship approaching, interactions with experienced sports administrators and former officials are expected to further motivate the Indian team ahead of its campaign in Italy.
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.
