New Delhi: The Indian SnowShoe Running Team was formally flagged off on Thursday for participation in the 52nd Ciaspolada–2026 International SnowShoe Race, scheduled to be held at Fondo, Italy.
The team was flagged off by Mayank Srivastava, Deputy Director General (DDG), Sports Authority of India (SAI).
The 10-member Indian contingent will represent the country under the banner of the SnowShoe Federation of India at what is regarded as the world’s oldest and largest SnowShoe race. The team comprises athletes Muzamil Hussain Mir, Akshir Singh Kush, Karan Sharma, Anshuman Boparai, Ankit Khokhar, Anjum Chaudhary, Dhaani Malhotra and Aashna Chaudhary, along with officials Abid Hussain and Harish Kumar.
While flagging off the team, Mayank Srivastava extended his best wishes to the athletes and encouraged them to deliver their best performance on the international stage. He expressed confidence that the team would make the nation proud by securing medals.
“The Ciaspolada is the world’s oldest and biggest SnowShoe event and has been organized continuously for over five decades. Athletes from more than 15 countries will participate in this prestigious competition. This will be India’s second appearance at the event,” Srivastava said.
The send-off ceremony at Delhi Airport was also attended by Advocate Suhaib Mir, Vice President of the Jammu and Kashmir SnowShoe Association, who travelled from Jammu to personally see off Muzamil Hussain Mir, the sole athlete from Jammu and Kashmir in the Indian contingent.
Advocate Suhaib Mir described SnowShoe running as a highly demanding sport requiring exceptional stamina, discipline and determination. “We are proud of this team for carrying the Indian flag on an international platform. I am confident they will perform well in Italy and go on to achieve greater success, including medals at future World Championships,” he said.
He further added that his presence was aimed at boosting the morale of Muzamil Hussain Mir, who has previously won a bronze medal for India at the SnowShoe World Championship in Japan. “I am sure he will once again make the country proud,” he said.
