Sunday, April 25, 2010

Sonamarg to host 2nd Kashmir Cup Rafting championship from Aug 3

Srinagar, July 29: The second Kashmir Cup international Rafting championship would be held in Sonamarg from August 3 to 8. This was announced by the minister for Tourism Nuwang Rinzing Jora, in a press conference at Nigeen Club, here, Wednesday.
“Last year’s inaugural event was a mega one and this year it will be bigger than that. As last year was inaugural event, the participation was less. But still it turned out as mega success. After last year’s success, we got number of queries from around different counties and it is because of that this year more international teams are participating” he said.
“Teams from Czech Republic, New Zealand, Canada and Slovakia have already confirmed their entries while USA, Holland and Hungary are awaiting visa clearances. Apart from international teams national teams like Punjab, Karnataka, Uttranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Indian Air Force and BSF will also be participating. From our state teams of Jammu, Kashmir and JK Police would participate,” the minister said.
Jora who was accompanied by minister of state for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani, said that J&K has tremendous potential of adventure sports like Rafting, Mountaineering, Skiing and Mountain Cycling. “Tourism department will doing everything to promote it in a big way.”
“Our state has tremendous potential of adventure sports and organizing of this event is part of promoting that at international level,” he added.
The teams will reach to Sonamarg on August 3 and on August 4 they will practice in Nallah Sind. The event would be inaugurated on August 5 and the competitions would be held from August 6 to 8. The event will conclude on August 8.
In the championship competitions of three events Slalom, Head-to-Head and Down River Marathon would be held in both male and female categories.
The event would be organized by JK Tourism department in collaboration with J&K White Water Rafting Association under the aegis of Indian Rafting Foundation.
For conducting event smoothly JK Tourism department has brought international rafting expert, Nick Carter, from New Zeeland who will monitor championship and after that will impart coaching to JK players.
The director Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah said, “We have brought Nick from New Zealand for monitoring this event and to share his experience with our players. After conclusion of event he will impart coaching o our players in Sonamarg.”
About the performance of JK teams in the event, he said, “Last year’s our teams performed well and we expect better performance this year. We are serious in making our team strong and it is only because of that we have brought in Nick here. We expect our team to go to participate in international events outside country next year,” he added.

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