BANDIPORA : On the directions of Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Bandipora, Waseem Raja on Saturday inaugurated Snow Cricket Tournament at Gurez.

The ADC also participated in a Snow Cricket match in an endeavor to promote winter sports in Gurez Valley.

Local youth were highly appreciative of the gesture and complemented the efforts of the District Administration for promoting Gurez not only as a summer destination, but as winter destination as well.

Snow Cricket is being played in Gurez since the last many years and is gaining popularity among local youth and adventure/winter sports lovers. The valley remains cut-off through road link as the valley receives huge Snow during winters.

As the people used to stay indoors, the locals from past few years started playing cricket on the accumulated snow surface bringing warmth amid the sub zero temperature.

The ADC said such activities will also help to promote winter tourism of the Gurez valley.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora has given categorical directions to local administration of Gurez as well as Youth Services & Sports department of Bandipora to promote such winter sports activities among youth in Gurez and other parts of the district so that the youth remain engaged with positive activities and do not fall prey to drug addiction and other negative pursuits.