Waris Fayaz
Srinagar, Oct 13: Gulmarg has once again captured global attention as the world’s top mountain bikers concluded the first-ever international-standard downhill mountain biking event, praising the destination for its stunning landscape, smooth organisation and welcoming atmosphere.
The event, part of the MTB Downhill – Zabarvan Legends Series brought together 23 professional athletes, including 9 international participants from Australia, Italy, Brazil, Taiwan, Indonesia and the Czech Republic. The competition featured a challenging 2.5 km high-difficulty trail through Gulmarg’s steep slopes, combining technical precision with breathtaking scenery.
Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, who presided over the closing ceremony, hailed the global participation and called the athletes “ambassadors of peace”. He said the event reflected a new and confident image of Jammu and Kashmir before the world.
“The participants from across the globe are our ambassadors of peace. They should tell the world that Jammu and Kashmir, especially Kashmir, is safe,” Sharma said. “We have come up with the odds and are messengers of peace. Through sports, we will tell the world that everything is safe here”.
The minister said the government was determined to promote sports tourism and generate employment through such initiatives. “We are committed to uplifting sports tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. We will not bow down before challenges. We should always stay hopeful”, he said, lauding the efforts of the Gulmarg administration and all stakeholders involved in hosting the event.
Gulmarg CEO Tariq Hussain credited Zabarvan for taking the initial initiative and said the event’s success showed that Gulmarg has the infrastructure and capability to host world-class sporting events.
“It was Zabarvan who came up with the idea of hosting an international-standard downhill mountain biking event. We worked together to make it a reality,” Hussain said. “The event’s success reflects the teamwork between the government, the organisers and the sponsors. It shows Gulmarg’s potential and readiness for global adventure tourism”.
The CEO said the weather conditions played a crucial role in the event’s success, calling it “a perfect blend of nature and human effort”. “The message is clear, Gulmarg is ready for the world. Its natural terrain, infrastructure and hospitality make it one of the most promising adventure destinations,” he added.
Athletes from various countries expressed joy and admiration for Gulmarg. “The venue was amazing and challenging. We enjoyed every bit of it,” said a group of international riders. An athlete from Australia said, “I am very surprised to be here. The place is beautiful. I will remember this race forever”. Others echoed similar feelings, saying, “We will be back to explore more”.
Zabarvan Founder Sehan Shetty said the Gulmarg event marked the launch of Phase Three of their long-term mission to unify India’s mountain sports community. “This milestone follows 1.5 years of discussions and support from both central and state governments. It coincides with Zabarvan’s second anniversary,” he said.
The Zabarvan Legends Series will continue with two more legs in Shillong and Guwahati, featuring different terrains and challenges.
Shetty said the initiative goes beyond sports promotion, focusing on nurturing homegrown talent and developing indigenous adventure gear.
He thanked the Jammu and Kashmir administration, Gulmarg Development Authority and sponsors for making the series possible—(KNO)
