Excelsior Sports Correspondent
DODA, Feb 22: The 6th National Rafting Championship, titled “The Ultimate River Battle,” concluded today at Shibnote (Premnagar), Doda, in a grand display of adventure and sportsmanship. The event, organized by the Directorate of Tourism Jammu in collaboration with the District Administration Doda, attracted participants, tourists and adventure enthusiasts from across Jammu & Kashmir and various parts of the country.
The closing ceremony was graced by several distinguished dignitaries, including Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Dhananter Singh Kotwal, DDC Chairperson Doda; Dr Devansh Yadav, Municipal Commissioner Jammu; Harvinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner Doda; Kumar Abhishek, Deputy Commissioner Reasi; Vikas Gupta, Director Tourism Jammu; Sandeep Kumar, SSP Doda; Roshan Lal, ADDC Doda; Sunil Kumar Bhutyal, ADC Bhaderwah; CO, ACR Doda, SDM Thathri, Tehsildar, CEO BDA, and Joint Director Tourism, along with officers from various departments, representatives of the Rafting Federation J&K, Team SDRF J&K, Chenab Rescue teams, Municipality officials, locals, and visiting tourists.
A key highlight of the event was a rafting expedition led by the dignitaries, covering a distance of approximately 15 kilometers, from Shibnote to Karara. This rafting journey demonstrated the immense adventure tourism potential of the Chenab River stretch.
Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, congratulated all the participating teams and the Directorate of Tourism for successfully promoting adventure tourism in the scenic Chenab region. He emphasized the Government’s commitment to strengthening tourism infrastructure across Jammu Division, including the development of new roads and tunnels to improve connectivity to destinations such as Guldanda, Bhaderwah, and Jai Valley. Kumar further shared that 75 tourist destinations have been identified by the Directorate of Tourism, including those in Doda and Bhaderwah, where new events and tourism initiatives would be promoted.
He also highlighted the promotion of local culture, folk dances, and traditional music, providing youth with platforms to showcase their talent and generate employment opportunities. The Divisional Commissioner also congratulated the BSF men’s and women’s teams for securing top positions in the championship.
In addition to the rafting championship, a vibrant cultural programme was held at Bhaderwah, organized by the Directorate of Tourism, adding a cultural touch to the event.
Vikas Gupta, Director Tourism Jammu, informed that the 6th edition of the championship, hosted in Doda, marked a significant step in expanding adventure tourism in the Chenab region. He encouraged local youth to get involved in rafting and assured institutional support from the Directorate of Tourism.
The championship concluded with the distribution of mementos and cash prizes to the winners of various events, including marathon and sprint categories. The success of the event underscores the growing popularity of adventure tourism in the region and sets the stage for future initiatives aimed at boosting tourism and promoting local talent.
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