Kargil/ Jan. 30 2021: The first ever Zanskar Winter Sports and Youth Festival, 2021 concluded at Munskit Chumik Zanskar here today.

Member of Parliament (MP) Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal was the chief guest on the occasion while Councillor Cha Constituency Stanzin Lakpa was guest of honor.

Secretary Sports Ravinder Kumar, Director Tourism UT Ladakh Kunzes Angmo, Padma Shree Awardee Tsultrim Chonjor, Presidents of Ladakh Buddhist Association Zanskar, Zanskar Gonpa Association, Zanskar Muslim Association, LBA Youth Wing, Muslim Youth Wing, Women’s Association Zanskar, OSDs and Under Secretaries of UT Ladakh, officers of Army and GREF, and other sub divisional officers were present as special guests.

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MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal while addressing the gathering appreciated the UT Administration Ladakh, local departments, Zanskar Buddhist Association, Zanskar Gonpa Association, Zanskar Muslim Association and other concerned agencies and individuals for their efforts in the successful conduct of the whole event.

“This event has been initiated with a huge vision to promote winter sports and tourism in Zanskar. Till date we were attracting tourists with the gonpas and religious sites. But this event is a new vision to develop economic activities at a large extent”, said MP Namgyal.

“Next year this event will be prolonged for around 70 days including trekking on the Chadar Trek. The inaugural ceremony of the next year event will be held in Delhi”, Namgyal added.

MP Namgyal further said that the idea is not to construct big hotels and to let few people get benefits but to develop small guest houses and hotels in all small villages so that each and every household can be benefitted from this event and the tourists visiting Zanskar.

Secretary Sports Ravinder Kumar in his address appreciated the efforts of the MoS Sports and Youth Affairs, GoI Kiren Rijiju, MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Department of Youth Services and Sports UT, Ladakh, Department of Tourism UT Ladakh, other concerned agencies and individuals besides the people of Zanskar for their efforts in making this event a successful one.

“I assure you that this event will be conducted with much efficiency and affectivity next year. With support from the Ministry of Sports, GoI we will assist in infrastructural development, equipment procurement and other necessary assistance”, said Kumar.

Speaking on the occasion, Director Tourism UT Ladakh Kunzes Angmo said that Zanskar has potential for winter tourism and adventure, for which the Department of Tourism Ladakh will strive to develop necessary requirements.

Meanwhile, the guests distributed appreciation certificates among athletes, coaches, organizers and other participants. Various Ama Tsogspa and Nachungma teams, Zanskar Students Association and other cultural teams presented colorful folk songs and dances on the occasion.

Pertinently, 13 days Zanskar Winter and Youth Festival 2021 featured  various cultural and sports activities like ice hockey, snow skiing, horse riding, yak riding, ice climbing, snow sculpture, archery matches, local food festival, yoga and meditation sessions and other related activities.

Around 700 people from various different parts of Zanskar participated in the event.