Gulmarg 23 March: The Annual State Winter Games kick started at Gulmarg today. Nearly 150 boys and girls of different age groups and categories took part in the qualifying rounds at Merry Shoulder slope at Kongdori.
Shabir Ahmad Wani former Vice-President of Winter Games Federation of India and International skier inaugurated 3 day Championship. Among other who were present on the occasion were Olympian Gul Mustafa Dev, International skier Arif Khan, Dhanhadur Singh, former Ski Coach State Sports Council Abdul Rashid Tantray, General Secretary Winter Games Association of J&K Muhammad Yusuf and Olympian Nadeem Iqbal were present on the occasion. From Saturday the main competitions will be held in alpine skiing, Nordic skiing and Snowboarding. Muhammad Yusuf informed that the snow condition is still better at Merry Shoulder slope. He expressed his thanks to State Cable Car Corporation, Tourism Department High Altitude Warfare School, and rescue Wing for extending their full support on the first day of the competition. The Championship is being organized by Winter Games Association of J&K under the auspices of State Sports Council