Early Times Reporter
Srinagar | Feb16
Secretary Tourism, Nayeem Akhter, today received 'Mashaal' (Torch) of 5th National Winter Games 2008 in presence of largely attended media persons. The Mashaal taken by the only Olympian of the State Gul Mustafa at New Delhi and brought here after crossing various states including Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, etc.
Mr. Naeem Akhter said that the winter games will start at Gulmarg situated at a height 8700 ft above from the sea level from 18th of this month. The inaugural ceremony included Sky Diving, March past by athletes, Snow Rugby, Skiing, Snow Scooter, Figure Skating, Alpine Skiing, Cross Country, Nordic Skiing , Ice Skating and Ice Hockey. In all about 500 sportsmen are participating in these events. The closing ceremony has been slated for February 22, 2008.
The Secretary Tourism said that Mashaal traveled through various states will be taken to Gulmarg tomorrow. He said government has initiated several measures for efficient competition in various winter sports and upgradation of Tourism in the Jammu and Kashmir state.
He said the first National Winter Games were held in 1998 and subsequently in 2004 and Gulmarg has again been chosen as the venue for the 5th National Winter Games 2008.
Referring to the games Mr. Nayeem Akhter said that the games are being held under the aegis of Indian Olympic Association. The participant sports persons are from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, New Delhi, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, GMVN, WHMI (Manali), BSF, Navy, Army Sports Control Board, ISS&M (Gulmarg).
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