Excelsior Sports Correspondent
LEH, Oct 5: In a significant move to promote winter sports and boost adventure tourism, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, chaired a meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Leh to discuss the establishment of Winter Sports Academies in Zanskar and Drass. The project, presented by Pradhuman Pathak of Ronmas (India) Private Limited, aims to transform the region into a global hub for winter sports by fostering local talent and providing world-class training facilities.
The academies will focus on skiing and other winter sports, equipped with advanced infrastructure, including chairlifts, ropeways, and ski drag lifts, designed to improve accessibility to ski slopes. Dr. Kotwal directed the formation of a committee of experts to review the concept notes and ensure the projects align with the broader vision of youth development and sports tourism.
The Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM), Gulmarg, will collaborate in the setup, and the Ministry of Tourism has already sanctioned an IISM branch in Kargil. The proposed academies will provide year-round opportunities for local youth and help grow the regional economy. A follow-up meeting will be held in ten days to address further progress and challenges. The project will operate under the Ministry of Tourism, with approvals and funding from the Government of India.
The meeting was attended by Administrative Secretary, YSS, UT Ladakh, Vikram Singh Malik; Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Kargil, Srikant Balasaheb Suse; Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Zanskar; Chief Engineer, PWD, UT Ladakh; Superintending Engineer, PWD, Kargil; Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Drass; Executive Engineer, PWD, Kargil; Executive Engineer, PWD, Zanskar and District Youth Services and Sports Officer Kargil. The officials stationed outside attended the meeting virtually.
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