Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 28: In continuation to its ongoing “Summer Festival”, organized by Tourism Department Kashmir, the first-ever Flat Water Rafting Championship was held on the still waters of famous river Jhelum in Srinagar today. Down the River Kayaking sprint was also held. One hundred twenty five paddlers representing ten top teams of different institutions and clubs of the Valley took part in this historical championship. Rafting on running rivers is popular world over but rafting on flat water is a newly developed sport. It has now been recognized as a competitive Water Sport. To promote and develop this sport in Kashmir the Tourism Department has come forward and initiated the first championship of its kind with the technical support from two expert agencies, Adventure Call Tours and Travels and Kashmir Adventure. Director Tourism, Talat Parvez informed that this sport has tremendous scope in Kashmir. He assured that this sport will be carried forward and Tourism Department will support the promoters. The Deputy Development Commissioner Farooq Shah was chief guest while Director Tourism Talat Parvez was guest of honour on the occasion. Among others the president Kashmir Rafting Operators Association Ibrahim Raina, general secretary Adventure Tour Operators Association Muhammad Yusuf and CEO Kashmir Adventure Hakeem M. Yousuf were present on the occasion. Muhammad Yusuf informed that the Adventure Call and Kashmir Adventure are playing a significant role in promoting this sport at grass root levels in Kashmir. They have raised lot of equipment for this purpose. He further informed that this equipment was used by Srinagar Municipal Corporation last year for Jhelum cleaning program. Farooq Shah, who happens to be president of J&K White water rafting Association as well, said that Srinagar though being known as City of Lakes could not develop water sports to its maximum. He conveyed his gratitude to the organizers and the supporters of this event. In the neck to neck Kayaking race Vilayat lifted first position, while 2nd and 3rd positions went to Muneer Ahmad and Nisar Ali respectively. In Flat Water Rafting 1st three positions were bagged by Naagi Adventure Club, Islamia College and Modern Era Public Secondary School respectively. The winners were awarded certificate of Merit, memento and cash prizes. While running down the river the paddlers also spotted a floating dead body in the river and informed the police later.
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