SRINAGAR: The Department of Tourism Kashmir Sunday organized first of its kind Srinagar Adventure Race as part of its Valley Weekend programme.
Director Tourism Kashmir, Mahmood A Shah flagged off the race at 6 am at Water Sports Center at Nigeen, which saw the participation of around 100 youth affiliated with many adventure sports associations.
The adventure race started with 500 meters of swimming at Nigeen Lake followed by 15 km of cycling from Nigeen Club to Zabarwan Park via foreshore road, 1 km of hiking from Zabarwan Park to Shankaracharya hilltop and 5 km road running downhill from Shankaracharya to the finishing line at Zabarwan Park.
Muzamil Hussain of JK Adventure Sports Club finished first while as Suhaib ul Mehraj of Jammu and Kashmir Mountain Biking Club, Suhail Nisar of JK Adventure Sports Club, Nawab Moazum Khan of Jammu and Kashmir Mountaineering and Hiking Club and Dr. Amin Rishi of Jammu and Kashmir Mountain Biking Association bagged other four positions respectively.
Director Tourism Kashmir distributed prizes and certificates to the winners and the participants at Zabarwan Park.
While hailing the youth for their active involvement in the sports activities, Mahmood A Shah said the department is committed to providing facilities and the right platform to the youth in all games.
He said triathlon events were rarely held in Kashmir and by organizing this event the department want to revive such adventure games.
He said local youth have a lot of talent but they need the right platform to hone their skills and showcase their talent.
“This event was just the beginning and we will organize more such events and at large scale in which the athletes will have to cover more distance. This will give them right platform to prepare for national and international events,” said Director Tourism Kashmir.
Notably, the department of tourism provided every facility including mountain bikes to most of the participants and also trained them in swimming at Nigeen club ahead of the event.
The department trained over 500 youth in swimming in all age groups at Nigeen Club over the past few years.
The department provided free coaching with all the lifesaving equipment like life west so that participants learn swimming without taking any risks.
Director tourism also urged the participants to take care of the water bodies and desist from littering disposables.
The sports activities are part of the tourism department’s Valley Weekend programme in which it organizes musical and cultural events on every Saturday evening and next day on Sunday organizes sports and other tourism-related activities. The aim of the programme is to provide entertainment to the tourists and engage locals in sports activities.