Kashmir: In order to promote tourism and attract the attention of the administration during winter in Gurez, the people of Gurez living in the border area have organized a snow cricket tournament on the frozen snow field. Residents of foothill villages including Markoot, Achura and Bagtor in the border valley of Gurez have organized two ice cricket tournaments on a snow-covered ground.
Cricket on the frozen grounds over the years has become popular among the residents of Gurez because of the potential for the place to become a hotbed of winter sports. The people of Gurez say that when various winter sports events are held in other parts of the valley, why can’t similar games be organized in Gurez in the winter months. If the administration wants, he will remain the center of attraction even in winter.
Local sportsperson Gulzar said, “Winter sports have been organized here, many youths have participated in it because Gurez has the potential for winter sports, I want the J&K tourism department to organize such tournaments every year so that Gurez continues to be an attraction for tourists as well in winters.”
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.
Gurez was opened for summer tourism by the government last year and the place was also heavily promoted, which in turn attracted tourists throughout the summer.
Now the people of Gurez want the government to organize winter sports in the valley so that the region becomes a tourist destination in ‘Chillai Kalan’ (40 days of winter) like other areas of the Kashmir Valley.
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