Deputy Director General (DDG), Sports Authority of India (SAI), Mayank Srivastava, on Thursday flagged off the ndian SnowShoe Running Team for participation in the 52nd Ciaspolada–2026 International SnowShoe Race, scheduled to be held in Fondo, Italy.

The 10-member Indian contingent will represent the country under the banner of the SnowShoe Federation of India at the world’s oldest and largest SnowShoe race. The team includes athletes Muzamil Hussain Mir, Akshir Singh Kush, Karan Sharma, Anshuman Boparai, Ankit Khokhar, Anjum Chaudhary, Dhaani Malhotra, and Aashna Chaudhary, along with officials Abid Hussain and Harish Kumar.
While flagging off the team, Mayank Srivastava extended his best wishes and urged the athletes to give their best performance and make India proud by winning medals for the country.
“The Ciaspolada is regarded as the world’s oldest and biggest SnowShoe event and has been organized continuously for more than five decades. This prestigious competition will see participation from over 15 countries, and this marks India’s second appearance at the event,” he said.
Jammu & Kashmir SnowShoe Association Vice President, Advocate Suhaib Mir, also attended the send-off ceremony at Delhi Airport, having travelled from Jammu to personally see off Muzamil Hussain Mir, the only athlete from J&K in the contingent.
“SnowShoe running is a demanding sport that requires immense stamina, discipline, and determination. We are proud of this team for carrying the Indian flag on an international stage. I am confident they will make the country proud in Italy and go on to achieve greater success, including medals at future World Championships,” he said.
Advocate Suhaib Mir added, “I came especially to boost the morale of Muzamil Hussain Mir, who has previously won a bronze medal for India at the World Championship in Japan. I am sure he will once again make India proud.”