Though there has been slackness in tourism this winter due to certain reason but still many foreigners and domestic skiers and snowboarders are seen pursuing snow sports at Gulmarg enthusiastically without any fear. Notably one American promoter, Mr. Matt Applefield, has confirmed about four ski groups to Gulmarg this winter and is presently zooming down every inch of challenging ski slopes covered with deep powder snow. Not only in Gulmarg bowl they are venturing out in Drung Nallah and Nagatop areas as well. Many are undertaking backcountry trips to Sunset Peak region. Heli Skiing too is conducted in a better way. The local Ski Schools like J&K Youth Seervices and Sports, IIS&M, Gulmarg Ski School and other Adventure Clubs are actively operating their winter programs. The Presentation Convent, Govt Degree College Tangmarg and Biscoe School etc. successfully managed to conduct their ski courses.
The Winter Games Association of J&K too is all set to hold its different programs this winter. They were too busy in fielding their teams in national and international sporting events till now and are preparing to hold other domestic and national activities in the month of March.
Winter Games Association is a voluntary non-profit organization dedicated to the development of snow sports like alpine ski, nordic ski and snowboarding etc. It was formed in J&K State way back in mid-1980s by some renowned skiers and administrators with Dr. Kamal Mustafa as its first President. The main area of its aims and objects is to control the snow sports in J&K State in its all forms and to extend useful knowledge to the local youth.The initiative for setting up this sports organization was in fact taken by J&K Government on the persuasion of Winter Games Federation of India that was created by some enthusiasts belonging to different walks of life at national level with its head quarter in a coastal city of Mumbai.
Since its inception the Winter Games Association of J&K has been conducting different sporting events actively with the assistance of J&K State Sports Council, Tourism Department and J&K Cable Corporation etc. at domestic and national levels. Appreciably the Association extended its technical support to Tourism Deptt to organize first ever National Winter Games, held at Gulmarg in late 1980s under the aegis of Indian Olympic Association. It also helped them to organize many other national and regional championships in Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing and Snowboarding and seasonal festvals and carnivals from time to time. WGAJK has played a vital role in the development of winter tourism in Kashmir. The youth trained by the association could find jobs as Tourist Guides and Instructors in the tourism industry and some other Govt organisations. Many have started their own Ski Schools and Ski Rental Shops. This sector is growing fast and generating employment avenues for the youth.
WGAJK is registered under J&K Societies Registration Act and is recognized by J&K State Sports Council. It was also affiliated to former Winter Games Federation of India. It is now closely associated with the Indian Olympic Association. Initially it was promoting all sort of winter games including Ice figure skating, ice speed skating, ice hockey, alpine skiing, nordic skiing and snowboarding etc but with the bifurcation of Ice events this association is now controlling only snow sports. The association has wide network while having district Units almost in every district of the state. Some educational Institutions
To encourage a spirit of competitions at grass root levels the Association is successfuly holding championships at district levels. Last year the Association held competitions for Srinagar, Baramulla, Budgam, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Handwara, Pulwama, Anantnag and Shopian etc. This year the compeitions are being held at divisional level as well. Shortly WGAJK may hold Ladakh Division Ski Championship in Drass. Efforts are affot to hold one such championship at Patnitop and Pahalgam but non availability of equipment at these destinations has come in their way. The Kashmir Division Championship will be held at Gulmarg shortly followed by State Wingter Games. Though the association has limited financial resources it remains busy holding coaching camps, sporting events and extending its support to affiliated units particularly to the educational institutions. Appreciably with its help the J&K Govt provided thirty sets of skis to Govt Degree College Tangmarg under some regional development scheme. The Association helped the said College to hold its first ever ski course for its 20 students this winter. It also conducted skill tests Tangmarg College and Presentation Convent trainees at the conclusion of their ski courses this year.
Then association did q commendable work this winter by managing deputation of two girls, three boys and one local female coach, Ms Hafeeza Akhtar, to Sakahlin-Russia to take part in First Children of Asia International Sports Games, held from 7th to 17th February. It also managed to depute one senior athlete Arif Khan with his Coach Mr. Shabir Ahmad Wani to Are-Sweden to take part in World Skiing Championship held in February this year with the assistance of Indian Olympic Association. At National level the Association fielded its teams in senior national alpine ski, nordic ski and snowboarding championships held at Manali in Himachal Pradesh and Auli in Uttarakhand last month. Many male and female athletes took part in these national level championships with the help of J&K State Sports Council. Then Tourism Department provided them the FIS approved skis. With a view to inculcate a spirit of competitions the IOA has allotted the Junior National Ski and Snowboarding Championship to WGAJK and will be held in the last week of March, provided the funds are made available to them by the funding agencies. They have already approached the State Sports Council and Tourism Deptt for sponsoring this maga event. Unfortunately the former WGFI failed to hold national championship for juniors for last several years but the IOA is keen to hold it this year at Gulmarg. The nAssociation is looking for sponsors as non of the funding agencies have confirmed to sponsor it yet.
Unfortunately winter sports were not patronized by the J&K State Sports Council during last some decades. Skiing was considered a product of winter tourism by Tourism Department, hence they dominated the sport in all its forms. Skiing was promoted as a recreation for intended tourists but the scenario has changed now. Winter Sports were ignored by State Sports Council but are now contributing their bit for last a few years. Winter Sports produced first Olympian in the state and many other International skiers. Arif Khan won two medals in the last SAF Games and some other children too won medals in other international children compeitions. This year Bilal Ahmad Sheikh won silver medal at Manali in the newly introduced Free Skiing event. All other skiers too performed well. Our skiers need encouragement from all walks of life. The proposals regarding homologation of ski slopes, setting up an Academy, transfer of Dormitory from Tourism Deptt to WGAJK, engagement of Ski Coaches and purchase of equipment are pending with the Sports Council. Since there was set back to winter tourism this year the Tourism Deptt must come forward and sponsor the proposed Junior Nartional Championship this winter.
Muhammad Yusuf is Director Adventure Call Tour and Travels, and former Coach, Kashmir University