In Ladakh, the Zanskar Winter Sports and Tourism Festival 2024-25 was successfully organized at Atting Village in Zanskar yesterday, drawing enthusiastic participation from locals, tourists, and sports enthusiasts. The festival, organized by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, UT Ladakh, featured exciting winter sports events and cultural performances, highlighting the region’s vibrant traditions and promoting tourism.

Administrative Secretary, Tourism & Culture and Youth Services & Sports, UT Ladakh, Vikram Singh Malik, was the chief guest, while Executive Councilor, LAHDC-Kargil, Er. Punchok Tashi attended as the guest of honour.

A range of activities, including snow skiing, traditional archery, yak and horse riding, and yoga on snow, were organized to engage participants and showcase Ladakh’s winter sports potential. The chief guest inspected stalls set up by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and local entrepreneurs, displaying traditional cuisine, ethnic clothing, and local handicrafts.

Speaking on the occasion, Administrative Secretary Vikram Singh Malik emphasized the administration’s commitment to developing winter sports infrastructure in Ladakh. He announced plans for a snow ski slope and the upgradation of the snow ski school in Zanskar. He also highlighted Ladakh’s growing presence in international winter sports, noting that several players from Ladakh represented India at the Winter Asian Games in Harbin, China.

The festival featured vibrant cultural performances by local Ama Thoqspa groups, along with snow skiing competitions for students, who participated using traditionally crafted wooden skis. The traditional archery competition added excitement to the festival.

Executive Councilor Er. Punchok Tashi, in his address, expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd.), and the UT administration for their unwavering support in promoting sports and winter tourism in Zanskar. He also distributed prizes and mementoes to outstanding participants.