SONMARG: Ladakh Snowshoe Team delivered a stellar performance at the 9th National Snowshoe Championship 2025, held in Sonmarg, Jammu & Kashmir, clinching an impressive 15 medals and securing second place in the overall medal tally.
Competing against teams from 20 states, Ladakh’s athletes once again proved their dominance in the sport despite facing challenges due to lack of proper infrastructure and equipment.
Ladakh Snowshoe Team won 6 Gold: 5, Silver, and 4 Bronze. In Senior Category, international athelte Sajad Hussain won Gold in 1500m, Nasurala Elay won Bronze (5km), Sajad Hussain won Bronze in Relay Race, Nasurala Elay won Silver in 800m and Bronze in Relay Race.
In Junior Boys, Relay Team consists of Asif Ali, Bilal Abass and Mohd Baqir win Gold, Mohd Baqir won Gold in 3km, Asif Ali won Silver in 3km, Bilal Abass won Bronze in 3km, Asif Ali won Silver in 400m, Asif Ali Won Bronze in 400m, and Bilal Abass won Silver in 800m.
The team was led by Coach and International Player Sajjad Husain, whose guidance and dedication played a crucial role in achieving this outstanding result.
Following this historic performance, Shahnawaz Habib Var, President Ladakh Snowshoe Association, congratulated the athletes for their exceptional achievements despite limited resources. He commended their perseverance and expressed hope for better facilities in the future.
Mohd Amin Polo, General Secretary, Ladakh Snowshoe Association, also congratulated the team and announced that the association is in discussions with the National Snowshoe Body to organize a National-Level Snowshoe Event in Drass.
He emphasized that such an event would not only promote winter sports in Ladakh but also open new avenues for local players to showcase their talent on a bigger stage.
With Ladakh rapidly emerging as an alternative destination for adventure and winter sports, the inclusion of snowshoe racing in the region’s sports calendar will further enhance its reputation as a premier hub for winter sports in India.
The Ladakh Snowshoe Association remains committed to nurturing talent and advocating for better infrastructure and government support to develop the sport in the region.
The 9th National Snowshoe Championship 2025 has once again demonstrated the potential and resilience of Ladakh’s athletes, proving that despite challenges, they can compete and excel at the highest levels.
