Gurez, Dec 16 (KNO): To attract the attention of tourists from across the country for promoting winter sports, the administration in collaboration with local youth in the remote valley of Gurez will organize several sports tournaments including cricket, football and other on a frozen snowfield in winters.
An official told news agency—Kashmir News observer (KNO), that the remote valley has a great potential for winter sports as it remains covered under heavy snow during winters, Considering it the locals like every year will start several sports activities including cricket and football tournaments, besides Snow Skiing course on a frozen snowfield.
Notably, the cricket on the frozen grounds over the years has become popular among the residents of Gurez as the place has the potential to become a hotbed of winter sports.
The residents said that when various winter sports events take place in other parts of the valley, why similar games can’t be organized in Gurez in the winter months. "If the administration wants, it will remain the centre of attraction even in winter," they said.
They said that the main objective behind organizing these tournaments is to attract the attention of the government to the region as Gurez has great potential for winter sports activities.
Meanwhile, an official said that adequate arrangements are being made for the successful conduct of the several sports activities during winter in the valley.
He said that the tourism industry in these areas has faced an accelerated growth with holistic support from local communities who are involved directly and indirectly in this industry.
"We have also started helicopter services from Bandipora to Gurez so that the far-flung area remains connected during winter," he added—(KNO)