SRINAGAR: To attract the attention of higher authorities and the outside world for promoting winter sports, youngsters from remote Gurez valley in north Kashmir have once again organized multiple snow cricket tournaments on a frozen field.
The youngsters have organised several snow cricket tournaments on a frozen snowfield surrounded by the mountains in the different villages including Markoot, Achoora and Bagtore of the border Gurez valley.
Over the past few years snow cricket on the frozen fields has become popular among the residents in Gurez as the place has the potential to become a hub for winter games.
Quoting locals news agency KNO reported that when different winter sports events can be organized in other parts of the valley, why can’t similar games be held in Gurez during winter months.
They said that their only intention is to start these tournaments so that the government pays much attention to the area as it has a great potential for winter sports activities but unfortunately to date the youngsters have never been encouraged by the government.
“Our brave young men can play in the snow as well and we have to keep our identity alive here no matter how much snow falls,” a local Sarpach of the area said, adding that the youth need encouragement, and the area needs the attention of the government.
Mustafa Lone, another local, said that the people of the area are leaving no stone unturned to promote it as a tourism destination.
“We want more tourists to come to our valley that’s why we, along with the government, work hard to promote this valley,” he said, adding that there is no doubt that we live very close to the border but the situation is very peaceful.
With heavy snowfall across Kashmir during Chillai Kalan, the Gurez valley in Bandipora had received heavy snowfall.
