Winter games begin in Kashmir

Gulmarg, Dec 15 (UNI) The winter games, including skiing and skating, commenced at this world famous tourist resort here today, about ten days ahead of schedule on December 25.

Talking to UNI here, Joint Director Tourism Sarmad Hafeez said the decision to prepone the games was taken in view of early snowfall this season.

''We decided to advance the dates to enable the tourists and the participants to fully utilise the winter season,'' he added.

Mr Hafeez said besides Gulmarg, winter games will also be held at unexplored ski resorts of Yousmarg, Doodipathri and Pahalgam.

He said the Tourism Department has started a week-long ice skating championship from here today.

This would be followed by Gulmarg Cup from February 4 to 11 next year while the Gondola Ski Cup will be organised in the last week of February, Mr Hafeez added.

The Jammu and Kashmir Youth services and Sports Department has also organised a ski coaching camp here.

The Department will organise different courses for students in skiing. While the first course would be held from January 7 to 21 next year, the second will be held from January 23 to February 6, the third from February 8 to 22 and the fourth from February 24 to March 10.

An inter-district competition would be held from March 12 to 16.

The Kashmir University would conduct the first course from January 20 to February 3 and the second course from February 18 to March 4.

The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council will hold its first course from January 16 to 29, second course from February one to 14 and the third course from February 15 to 28. Besides, the Ski Association of Delhi will organise a National Snowboard Championship there on January 13 and 14 next year.

Mr Hafeez said the season was likely to give a fillip to the ailing tourism sector as visitors, especially from abroad, were expected to visit the Kashmir valley. All the arrangements for the winter games were being finalised, he added.

He said the famed resort has fine quality and well-groomed slopes available. ''We have 6.5 km of ski slopes from Afarwat to Gulmarg.

There are absolutely no brown patches and we also have finest quality of equipment.'' Mr Hafeez said the snow festival would start on December 24 and a large number of domestic and foreign tourists were expected to take part in the event.

He said the Tourism Department has received 350 confirmed bookings mainly from Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Hafeez claimed that for the first time ever the department has roped in foreigners for ski patrol team. The team would manage slopes, take part in rescue operations and avalanche control.

UNI FMH SAM BST1825