In a landmark development for winter sports, the snow-laden and picturesque destination of Sonamarg hosted its inaugural skiing training course.

The programme was inaugurated by Minister for FCS&CA, Transport, Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma.

This pioneering initiative has introduced skiing to schoolboys from various educational institutions across the Kashmir division.

In his address, Satish Sharma extolled the natural allure of Sonamarg, describing it as a magnificent locale ripe for introduction of winter sports. He emphasized that exploring such opportunities in hitherto uncharted areas would not only enrich the local cultural tapestry but also bolster tourism.

The Minister expressed his commitment towards ensuring that aspiring athletes receive skiing training that meets international standards and is delivered with a highly professional approach.

He heralded the inauguration of the skiing course as an auspicious beginning, envisaging it as a launchpad for transforming Sonamarg into a premier winter destination. He remarked that, in alignment with the directives of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, the Department is earnestly committed towards nurturing winter sports activities in Sonamarg. He assured that the Government would invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure to elevate Sonamarg’s status to the next level.