Srinagar, Feb 9 (JKNS): Marking a major shift in Jammu and Kashmir’s sports ecosystem, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) J&K has expanded world-class skiing training beyond Gulmarg to the remote valleys of Gurez and Sonamarg, opening elite winter sports opportunities for thousands of government school students and redefining access to sports in far-flung regions.
Moving beyond the iconic slopes of Gulmarg, the Directorate is now cultivating a new generation of skiers in the pristine, remote valleys of Gurez and Sonamarg, bringing world-class skiing training to the doorsteps of government school children who traditionally had little access to such elite sporting avenues.
Building on its five-decade legacy of holistic youth development since 1973, the Directorate has launched an ambitious expansion of its flagship winter sports programme. This year, concurrent basic skiing courses are actively training young athletes at three premier locations: the world-renowned Gulmarg, the picturesque Sonamarg, and the breathtakingly remote Gurez Valley in Bandipora district.
From Classrooms to Snow-Clad Slopes: Democratizing Winter Sports
Under the overall supervision of Director General Youth Services & Sports, Anuradha Gupta, the Directorate has made a strategic pivot to identify and develop new winter sports destinations across the Kashmir division. This move is designed to democratize access to skiing, ensuring talent is tapped from the farthest corners of the region, and not just from urban or private school backgrounds.
“Our mission is to build a robust, inclusive winter sports culture,” stated DG YSS. “By taking skiing to Gurez and Sonamarg, we are not just training athletes; we are instilling confidence, building character, and opening new horizons for youth in border and remote areas. This is sports as a tool for social empowerment and regional development.”
Gurez, Sonamarg Buzz with Sporting Energy
At the far-flung Gurez Valley, a 15-day Basic Ski Course is in full swing, transforming its pristine snowscapes into vibrant training grounds.
Young participants, under expert supervision from the Directorate, are rapidly mastering foundational techniques, safety drills, and snow mobility, their progress mirroring the programme’s success.
Simultaneously, in Sonamarg, the Directorate has launched a Basic Snow Skiing Course for boys, involving 40 participants and 10 escort teachers from ten districts of Kashmir.
The Directorate’s winter push extends beyond structured courses. In Pulwama, a vibrant Snow Festival at CB Nath meadows, inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner of the District, saw massive public turnout.
The festival featured snow cricket, kabaddi, races, art, and cultural programmes, highlighting the Department’s role in promoting community engagement, winter tourism, and joyful outdoor activity during the harsh season.
This community-centric approach is integral to the Directorate’s broader mandate, which includes youth leadership, cultural promotion, adventure sports, scouts & guides, and even rendering critical services during disasters and pandemics.
Since its inception, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports J&K has been the cornerstone of school sports, physical education, and personality development for the youth. From organizing national competitions and mass physical displays to promoting arts and adventure, its canvas is vast.
Today, by strategically expanding its winter sports infrastructure and training programmes, the Directorate is ensuring that the future champions of Indian skiing will emerge as much from the remote valleys of Gurez as from the famous slopes of Gulmarg.
This initiative stands as a proof to the UT administration’s commitment to fostering Olympic-level talent, promoting inclusive growth, and positioning Jammu & Kashmir as the undisputed winter sports capital of India. (JKNS)
