SRINAGAR: The 9th National SnowShoe Championship-2025 commenced here in Central Kashmir on Monday.
Officials said that the event has been organised by the J&K SnowShoe Association in collaboration with the Department of Tourism under the auspices of the SnowShoe Federation of India. “It is being held with the aim of promoting Sonamarg as the next best winter sports destination in the country,” they added.
The championship got off to a grand start, with former cricketer-turned-social-activist Sayim Mustafa and Chief Executive Officer of Sonamarg Development Authority Ghulam Mohammad Bhat inaugurating the opening races.
Officials stated that around 110 athletes from 15-17 states and union territories are participating in the event.
Terming it a new beginning and a fresh hope for winter sports in J&K, Sayim Mustafa said, “I learnt that last year, the National SnowShoe Championship was successfully held in Sonamarg, and this year, the J&K SnowShoe Association has upheld its commitment to the destination by organising another grand event.”
“I warmly welcome all the athletes to Sonamarg and hope they will promote it on a larger scale when they return home,” Sayim said.
President of the SnowShoe Federation of India, Mir Mudassir, later visited the race venue along with former international skier Shabir Wani and interacted with the visiting athletes.
“We have assured the local administration and the Tourism Department that we will promote Sonamarg as a premier winter sports destination. So far, we have successfully upheld this promise by hosting a successful National SnowShoe Championship,” said Mir Mudassir.
“We had also proposed hosting SnowShoe events as part of the Khelo India Winter Games in Sonamarg, as this sport can be conducted anywhere without requiring major infrastructure upgrades. Unfortunately, due to climate-related challenges like reduced snowfall, we had to postpone KIWG 2025. However, such issues would not have impacted SnowShoe events,” he added.
On Monday, long-distance races for both men and women were held.
In the men’s long-distance race, Waseem Raja of J&K bagged the gold medal, while Javeed Bashir of J&K won silver. Nasrullah Elya of Ladakh bagged bronze.
In the long-distance junior boys’ race, Ladakh dominated with a clean sweep. Mohammad Baqir, Asif Ali, and Bilal Abbas of Ladakh bagged gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively.
In the senior women’s long-distance race, Dhanalakshmi of Karnataka bagged gold, Latha A of Karnataka won silver, and Medeha of J&K took bronze.
In the junior girls’ long-distance event, J&K also made a clean sweep. Shaista of J&K bagged gold, while Yasmeena and Aamina Mukhtar, both of J&K, won silver and bronze medals, respectively.
The competitions will continue on Tuesday, with sprint and relay races scheduled.
The medal ceremony is also set for later in the evening, with MLA Kangan Mian Mehr expected to be the chief guest at the ceremony. (KNO)
