Srinagar: Kashmiri snowboarder Zubair Ahmad Lone is poised to make history as he prepares to represent India at the Snowboard World Cup 2025 in China, marking the first time India will compete in a Snowboard World Cup event.
Earlier this year, Zubair, along with fellow athlete Mehraj Khan, represented India at the Snowboard World Championships held in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in March—another landmark moment for the nation on the global snowboarding stage.
Widely regarded as India’s top snowboarder, Zubair holds the highest number of international medals among Indian athletes in the sport and leads the national rankings according to the FIS points system. He also clinched a medal at the recently concluded Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg, Kashmir.
Farhat Naik, Secretary General of the Winter Games Association and Snowboarding Coach for Team India, hailed Zubair’s remarkable progress:
“It is an absolutely great achievement for Zubair to reach this level in snowboarding. His dedication and hard work have truly paid off.”
Naik reflected on the challenges Zubair faced in the early stages of his career, noting that timely support from Zabarvan and the Span Foundation proved instrumental.
“I accompanied Zubair and Mehraj to the World Championships in Switzerland as their coach. It was the first time India stepped onto such a big stage. I am really looking forward to seeing him in the Olympics soon,” he added.
Speaking to Kashmir Images, an emotional Zubair expressed heartfelt gratitude: “I am so happy to finally be somewhere I have dreamed of for so long. I worked hard to reach this stage. I thank my sponsors, Zabarvan and Span Foundation, for believing in me when no one else did. I will never forget their support.”
He also acknowledged the continuous support of his state association, the national federation led by Shiva Keshan, and his family.
“Unfortunately, my father passed away this year. I know he would have been very happy today to see that I have chased this dream and turned it into reality,” Zubair added emotionally.
