Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 14: Taking full advantage of an early snowfall, the Department of Tourism Kashmir in collaboration with SnowShoe Federation of India (SSFI) held an ‘Invitational SnowShoe’ event at premier winter sports destination Gulmarg, here.
This season there has been early snowfall in the upper reaches of Kashmir, with Gulmarg receiving around one feet of snow. The setting was perfect for the conduct of a snowshoe event.
The plan was quickly put in motion by the Tourism Department headed by Director Tourism Faz Lul Haseeb in coordination with president SSFI Mir Mudasir by providing the equipment and with Pine Palace Resort Gulmarg roped in as a sponsor to provide refreshments and lunch for the racers.
For the event, SSFI invited active SnowShoe racers, both boys and girls from various districts of Kashmir. Initially planned as a leisure event, the event later metamorphosed into a competitive race.
The race was flagged off by Assistant Director Tourism Gulmarg, Dr Javaid-ur-Rehman in presence of well known sports personality of J&K Bilquis Mir, J&K SnowShoe Association general secretary Dr Altaf-ur-Rehman and SSFI technical committee head, Tahir Mir.
Gulbadin Hekmatyar of Ganderbal finished first in the boys section, while Sara emerged winner in the girls section.
Speaking on the occasion, Assistant Director Tourism Gulmarg, Dr Javaid-ur-Rehman said that this year there has been an early snowfall and the event provided a perfect precursor for the upcoming season.
“This time again it is going to be a SnowShoe gala throughout the season with SSFI planning a number of activities which wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Tourism Department,” he added.
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