SRINAGAR (KIMS) — The District Sport Climbing Championship for Srinagar, Budgam, Pulwama, and Shopian concluded today with remarkable performances by young athletes, highlighting the sport’s growing popularity in the region.
Organized by the Mountaineering Association of J&K, the event took place over the weekend, attracting participants from all four districts.
Held at the J&K Tourism Climbing Wall in Nowgam, Srinagar, the championship featured three categories—Sub-Junior, Junior, and Senior—for both boys and girls.
The competition was intense, with climbers showcasing exceptional strength, agility, and determination.
This event also served as a qualifying platform for athletes to advance to the state-level championships later this year.
Medals were awarded to the top three performers in each category.
The participants who excelled in the competition have been selected for trials for the upcoming state championship.
Among the selected players are Yawar Reshi, Kafeel Ul Haq, Sibghatullah, Sirajudin, Basit Dar, Sahiba Jan, and Laiba Jan from Pulwama; Danish Mir, Shahid Gulzar, Khushboo Shafi, Bisma Ashraf, and Farhana Hussain from Shopian; Aheed Immad, Zaid, Anas, Touba Jan, Safar Irshad, and Marwa Jan from Srinagar; and Uzma Altaf, Toiba Jan, Basit, Suhaib, and Faizan from Budgam district.
At the closing ceremony, Mr. Syed Abdul Mohsin, Joint Secretary (Kashmir) of the Mountaineering Association of J&K, praised the athletes for their efforts and highlighted the growing interest in sport climbing across the region.
“The youth of Kashmir have incredible potential in adventure sports. We are committed to nurturing this talent and providing them with opportunities to excel on national and international platforms,” he said.
The event was also graced by Mr. Irshad Ahmad Mir, General Secretary of the District Mountaineering Association Srinagar, and Mr. Mohammad Hussain Andrabi, President of the District Mountaineering Association Pulwama, who attended as guests.
A strong emphasis on safety was maintained throughout the event, with professional trainers and experts ensuring that all participants adhered to strict safety protocols during their climbs.
The Mountaineering Association of J&K expressed gratitude to the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department and the event sponsor, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, for their support.
The association emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of adventure sports in the region and plans to host more such events to build a robust climbing community in the coming years.
The championship concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, where winners received medals and certificates.
Participants voiced their excitement for future competitions, with many setting their sights on the upcoming state and national championships. — (KIMS)