Srinagar, Oct 9: Srinagar SSP Dr GV Sundeep Chakravarthy (IPS) on Friday chaired the closing ceremony of the National SnowShoe Coaching Camp-2026 at Hotel Radisson Collection, Riverfront, Srinagar, as Indian athletes stepped up preparations for the World SnowShoe Championship-2027 in Italy.

Organised by the J&K SnowShoe Association under the aegis of the SnowShoe Federation of India (SSFI), the camp brought together shortlisted athletes from Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab and Rajasthan.
The World Championship is scheduled to be held in Italy on January 5, 2027. Athletes from outside J&K were selected on the basis of their performances at the 10th National SnowShoe Championship held at Sonamarg last winter.
The participants received specialised training from NIS-qualified coach Tahir Mir, who has been assigned to coach the Indian contingent for the international event. International SnowShoe athlete Muzamil Mir also participated in the training programme.
Welcoming the chief guest, J&K SnowShoe Association President Tariq Ghani appreciated his encouragement for athletes preparing for the prestigious competition. He also congratulated the Srinagar SSP on the police’s recent success in busting a major narcotics network, describing him as a sports-loving officer who recognises the role of sports in engaging youth positively.
Association Vice President Arif Laigaroo said support for sports and extracurricular activities could help young people stay away from drug abuse and other social evils.
Addressing the athletes, Dr Chakravarthy welcomed participants from outside J&K and appreciated their decision to train alongside local sportspersons in Srinagar.
“You are our guests, and I am happy to see young athletes from outside J&K joining our athletes for this camp being held in preparation for the World Championship,” he said.
Describing SnowShoe running as a demanding endurance sport, the SSP said success in the discipline required high levels of fitness, dedication and perseverance. He stressed that sports foster discipline and physical fitness while helping young people resist drugs and other harmful influences.
He wished the athletes success and expressed hope that the Indian contingent would bring laurels to the country at the championship in Italy.
During the ceremony, certificates of appreciation were presented to athletes who had travelled from outside Jammu and Kashmir to attend the camp. Awards of honour were also conferred on individuals for their contributions to sports and related fields.
The awardees included coach Tahir Mir for preparing the Indian team for Italy; international SnowShoe athlete Muzamil Mir; long-distance runner Zahid Rafiq Kota, who documented 200 alpine lakes across Kashmir and Ladakh; veteran watersports and survival expert Reyaz Wani; veteran Srinagar athlete Mushtaq; Gurdeep Khokhar, Secretary of the Chandigarh Association; Amit, Secretary of the Delhi Association; and Diphi Jain, an official from Haryana.
Among those present were J&K SnowShoe Association Vice President Advocate Suhaib Mir, SSFI Vice President Harish Kumar, General Secretary Dr Altaf ur Rehman, Dr Meena Sharma of the Delhi State Legal Services Authority, Chamber and Commerce officials, and association members Reyaz Wani, Tahir Mir and Gulzar Khan.
The camp marked a key phase in India’s preparations for the World SnowShoe Championship-2027, bringing athletes from across the country together ahead of the international competition