Excelsior Sports Correspondent
LEH, Aug 20: All Ladakh Rafting Co-operative Limited (ALRO) organised its 2nd edition of World’s Highest Rafting and Kayaking competition on Zanskar River, which concluded here yesterday.
The event was co-sponsored by J&K Tourism, All Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA) and various other tour operators.
The three days event was held on Zanskar River from Scorpochey to Sangham, covering a distance of 16 Kms. 140 rafters including International players took part in the event.
In the men’s category, Mountain Journey Tour was the winner with timing of 38:54:01, while Ladakh Fine Food Travel Wing Sangham was the runners-up with a timing of 39:03:04.
In the women’s category, Liktsey School sponsored by Indus Himalayan Explorer claimed first position with a timing of 45:22:59 and Saspol School was the runners-up with a timing of 45:55:68.
In the Kayaking men’s category, Amit Thapa was the winner and Daman Singh was the runners-up while in the women’s category, Marie Eve was the winner and Naina Adhikari was the runners-up. Winners were awarded with a Double-Seater Ducky while runners-up were awarded with Rs 30,000 as a cash award.
Deputy Commissioner Sachin Kumar Vaishya who attended the prize distribution session, highly appreciated the organisers for conducting such competition and added that such tournaments will produce international stuff.
AD Tourism Tsering Angmo who flagged-off the final competition from Rafting point Skorpochey said that this time Tourism Department decided to sponsor the event so that local youth get encouragement to take part in such adventure sport and get employment opportunity.
ALRO President Rinchen Nima Jora said that the competition was aimed to promote Water Sports in Ladakh.
Mentioning about Rafting history in Ladakh Nima added that Rafting sport is very old in Ladakh starting from 1983 and is a popular sport among tourists.
ALTOA President Tsetan Angchuk said that Ladakh has potential to organise International standard Rafting and Kayaking competition for tourism promotion.
ALRO advisor Wangchuk Nyaga also spoke on the occasion.
Winner team leader Dhan Bahadur Singh said that he felt ecstatic to win competition for the second consecutive year.
Another participants Air Force team leader Wing Commander Sandeep said that it was good experience but was tough due to the wind blowing in opposition direction.
A 19 year old lady from Nainital Naina Adhikari said that it was great feeling to participate in the event.
Additional SP Suresh Kumar and Tourism Officer Tsering Dolkar were also present during prize distribution ceremony.
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