With an aim to promote adventure sports in Ladakh, World’s highest rafting and kayaking competition was held on August 19 on Zanskar River. The event was organised by All Ladakh Rafting Operators (ALRO) in collaboration with All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA). A total of 22 rafting teams and 62 kayakers paddled 14 km on Zanskar River to Sangam point, Nimmo. Nawang Rigzin Jora, MLA flagged off the team from Skorpochay, Chiling. Rafting team ‘Mountain Fire’ grabbed the winner title by covering the distance in 40 minutes 10 second. The runner-up team ITBP took 40 minutes 37 second. In kayaking, Rishi Rana and Shivam Gurung were the winners and runners-up respectively. JP Yadav, DIG, ITBP expressed his hope that the event will become an International level event just like Ladakh Marathon and Ice Hockey tournament. He said that there is a good scope for adventure sports in Ladakh where International players can also take part. Tsering Angchuk Nyaga, President, ALRO said that Zanskar River is one of the five best Rivers in India for white water rafting. He said that the competition which is organised for the first time in Ladakh will not only boost the tourism but also promote and encourage water sports activities in Ladakh. Talking about the growing River Rafting tourism in Ladakh, Tsetan Angchok, President, ALTOA said that Ladakh is a hub of adventure activities and tour operators in Ladakh are working hard to take it to a new height with limited infrastructure. He further appealed J&K Tourism department to organise certified training programme by inviting professional experts for adventurous water sports activities under Skill Development Programme and urged the local administration to add this event in the annual event of Ladakh calendar. He also informed about Rafting operators performing social responsibility by helping the administration during the rescue operation. Rinchen Nima Jora, Vice President, ALRO said that the idea of water sport was conceived to encourage local youths to explore the potential in water sports and participate in such competition. Goma Sonuwar from Nepal working with Aquafire Rafting Adventure was the only woman participant in the Kayaking competition.