KARGIL, JANUARY 28, 2022: Sajad Hussain from district Kargil finished third at the Invitational SnowShoe Championship organized by J&K SnowShoe Association at Gulmarg, Kashmir on Thursday.

The event was held on an Invitational basis, following the COVID-19 guidelines that restrict participation to below 25 people.

Due to that, the Association only invited top athletes of J&K and Ladakh for participation, who were joined by three athletes from Ladakh. In total 17 athletes from J&K and three from Ladakh participated in the championship.

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The event was held under the supervision of well known athletic coach of J&K Tahir Mir.

Gulbadin Hekmatyar of Ganderbal district of Kashmir emerged out as the winner while Adil Shah from Srinagar finished second. Sajad Hussain of Kargil, Ladakh finished third.

The championship was sponsored by Pine Palace Resort Gulmarg. Later prize distribution was held in the resort in which President J&K SnowShoe Association Tariq Zargar was the chief guest and it was attended by Association members Shabir Dar and Ayaz ul.

Speaking on the occasion Tariq said, ” The event was held for only well-known athletes of J&K as COVID-19 protocols don’t allow to hold big gatherings. In that context, we invited you and three athletes from Kargil, Ladakh who have been training in Kashmir”.

He said that Association is planning to hold similar events in other parts of J&K.

“We don’t want to restrict SnowShoe which is a popular winter sport and activity to Gulmarg only. But we will be holding events in Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Dodapathri, Yousmarg, Patnitop, Srinagar, and other parts of J&K that receive snow. To achieve that goal, we will be approaching the Tourism department shortly for help,” he said.

About Khelo India National Winter Games, he said, ” The dates for the Games have not been announced by Sports Council yet due to Covid. However, we have kept all things ready from our end. We already held selection trials and even submitted a complete list of participants from all over India to the Sports Council. If the games are held we are ready”.