Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department in collaboration with Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) today organized 1st All India Sport Lead Climbing Competition here at Climbing Wall in Nowgam.
A two-day event witnesses the participation of 103 climbers from 22 states of India which are participating in various categories including sub-junior, junior, men and women categories. The competition will be adjudged by the group of professional from various parts of India.
Secretary Tourism Rigzian Sampheal who was the Chief Guest, inaugurated the event. President IMF, Col HS Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood Ahmad Shah and other concerned officials were present on the occasion.
Giving details about the event, President IMF Col Chauhan said that climbing sport is now an Olympic game, which will be introduced in 2020 Olympics to be held in Tokyo. He said three events in Speed, Bouldering and Lead are held in the championships. In Kashmir we are organizing Lead only while as Speed and Bouldering are organized at other destinations, he said adding there are seven zones of IMF.
All the seven zones of IMF including East zone featuring 12 climbers, West Zone with 28 climbers, North Zone with 39 climbers, South Zone with 4 climbers, North East Zone with 10 climbers and Services Zone with 6 climbers and Police Zone having 5 climbers are participating in the competitions. Judges, trainers, route tellers and other officials have been deputed on this task and to make the competitions a success.