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Kashmir Valley Transforms Into a Hub of Winter Sports: An Indian Army Initiative
During the winter season, Gurez, in North Kashmir's Bandipora district, and Drass, in Kargil district, become inaccessible due to heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures. However, this year, the Indian Army has organised various winter sports activities for the locals to keep the areas lively.
The Gurez Winter Sports Fest 2023 kicked off with the Gurez Snow Cricket Premier League, which attracted 16 teams this year. The Indian Army also organised a regional ice hockey tournament and archery competition in Bimbat, Drass, where 12 teams of male athletes and three teams of female athletes participated in the ice hockey tournament, and around 100 archers from the villages of Drass took part in archery.
A one-day ski camp was, also, organised in Drass, where international skiers participated along with the locals. These initiatives involving around 300 youngsters have created a joyful atmosphere in these areas that remain cut off from the mainland for months. The Indian Army's efforts have encouraged the Government to promote winter sports in these areas, which have the potential to become great ski resorts with better infrastructure.