Snowshoe exclusion will hurt J&K medal chances in KIWG: Laigaroo

Srinagar, Feb 20: Jammu & Kashmir SnowShoe Association Vice President Arif Laigaroo on Friday said the exclusion of SnowShoe Running from the upcoming Khelo India Winter Games 2026 will dent the host Union Territory’s medal prospects, calling the decision a major setback for local athletes who have dominated the discipline at national level.

In a statement issued, Laigaroo stated that SnowShoe Running is largely dominated by J&K athletes and its omission is a major setback for the hosts. In the 10th National SnowShoe Championship held in Sonamarg, J&K clinched the overall championship by winning 30 medals.

He recalled that in the initial editions of KIWG, J&K had emerged as overall champions, with SnowShoe athletes playing a crucial role. However, in the fourth and fifth editions, the hosts finished much lower on the medals table and were not in contention for the overall title.

“Normally, one would expect hosts to play to their strengths, but here in J&K, the concerned departments don’t seem to care about results and focus only on the show. Hosts all over the world—even at the Olympics—push for inclusion of their strongest and medal-winning sports. But in J&K, the hosts are allowing their exclusion,” Laigaroo said.

He added that the absence of SnowShoe Running is likely to hurt J&K’s medal prospects significantly.

“Our athletes have been shining in SnowShoe at national and international levels and would have helped J&K finish at the top of the medals table in KIWG. With SnowShoe excluded, it remains to be seen how J&K performs in the Games,” he said.

Though the J&K Sports Council reportedly wrote to the Sports Authority of India for reconsideration, Laigaroo alleged that no serious effort was made.

“As hosts, they had the prerogative to include or exclude any sports discipline, with SAI having no direct role in that decision. But the Sports Council did not exercise that right. It may hurt them on the medals table, but I doubt they are concerned about performance,” he added.