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| J&K to stake claim for Commonwealth Winter Games in 2010: CM | | National Winter Games at Gulmarg to start from Feb 18 | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Jan 15
Gulmarg, the highest and the most exotic and affordable ski resort in the Himalayas, will be the venue of the 5th National Winter Games being held between February 18 and 22, 2008, even as the Jammu & Kashmir will stake claim for the first Commonwealth Winter Games in 2010.
About 500 participants from 18 teams including from 10 states, besides J&K, are participating in the National Winter Games likely to promote and popularize the Meadow of Flowers, currently under a five feet thick carpet of snow, as a winter destination in a big way.
Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad is personally monitoring arrangements for the important sports event. Mr. Azad reviewed preparations for the games here on Monday evening in a meeting with the officers of the tourism department. Deputy Chief Minister, Muzaffar Hussain Beig who also holds the tourism portfolio, Minister of State for Tourism, Mr. G. M. Saroori, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. Anil Goswami and Director Tourism Kashmir, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah were also present. Secretary Tourism, Mr. Naeem Akhtar made a power point presentation on the upcoming event.
The Chief Minister said that the State will stake the claim for holding the Commonwealth Winter Games at Gulmarg in 2010. He said he will take up the matter with Mr. Suresh Kalmadi, President Indian Olympic Association when the latter will arrive here in connection with the ensuing mega sports event next month.
The Chief Minister highlighted the need for putting in place all facilities for the participants to make the National Winter Games a memorable one and highly successful sports event. He said participation of sports persons from across the country in a large number would focus Gulmarg as an important winter destination. He emphasized the need to publicise the event on a major scale and suggested to rope in media and sports writers to project the national level winter sports activity. He said he will also explore, through the ministry of external affairs, the possibility of inviting skiers from embassies and high commissions in New Delhi to take part in the event.
Azad asked the officers of the tourism department to arrange adequate medical facilities including an orthopedic surgeon and general physician at Gulmarg for the participating teams besides ambulances for medical emergency. He also issued instructions to deploy dedicated teams of officials at reception sites.
The Chief Minister also asked the tourism officials to make projects for development of a few more places for winter tourism to be presented to the Planning Commission for funds.
The torch of the 5th National Winter Games will be taken from Delhi and travel through Auli in Uttar Pradesh and Srinagar before reaching Gulmarg. A prominent sports personality of the country is expected to flag off the torch. The teams participating in the event include Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Border Security Force, Indian Navy, Army Sports Control Board, Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Indo Tibetan Border Police, GMVN and WHVN (Manali).
The events to be held during the five day sports carnival include slaloma, giant slaloma and snow board in alpine skiing, free style (men and women) in cross country and figure skating and speed skating (men and women) and ice hockey for men in skating rink category. Cultural programmes will be organised for the entertainment of the participants and winter sports lovers at Gulmarg. The inaugural function will include march past by participating teams and display of martial arts. |
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