Executive Councilor, Er. Punchok Tashi, chaired a meeting at the Conference Hall, LAHDC Kargil, to strategize the promotion of winter sports in the region.

The meeting focused on strengthening Zanskar and Drass Winter Sports Academy and reviewing the proposed installation of a chair lift to boost winter sports infrastructure.

The session was attended by Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, UT Ladakh, Tahir Hussain Zubdavi; Councillor Bhimbat, Abdul Wahid; Councillor Cha, Stanzin Lakpa; Executive Engineer R&B, Sadiq Ali; and DYSSO Leh/Kargil. Additionally, local winter sports promoters participated, marking the first meeting of its kind with stakeholder involvement.

During the meeting, participants highlighted the need for a dedicated Winter Sports Academy in Ladakh to provide structured training and boost the region’s winter sports development.

Key suggestions included the formation of a committee comprising local sports promoters, ex-Army personnel with national and international winter sports experience, and other key stakeholders from Leh and Kargil.

EC Tashi stressed the importance of swift action and directed the Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, to establish the committee. The team will conduct on-site assessments, slope evaluations, and a feasibility study to guide the development of winter sports infrastructure.

Stakeholders expressed concerns over the three to four-year delay in implementing these plans and urged authorities to accelerate the process to unlock Ladakh’s potential for winter sports tourism and athlete development.