Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur, today inaugurated the 4th edition of the Ladakh Ice Climbing Festival organised by Ladakh Mountain Guides Association (LMGA) at Gangles. Councillor, Upper Leh, Stanzin Tsepag; Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, Ravinder Kumar; Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Shrikant Suse; Superintendent of Police, PD Nitya; Joint Director, Department of Youth Services and Sports, Moses Kunzang and a large number of participants were present in the event.
Appreciating members of LMGA for their professionalism, sincerity and enthusiasm for the development and promotion of winter sports in Ladakh, LG Mathur stated that the Association has contributed a lot during various rescue operations, particularly Chadar Trek. He also stated that Ladakh has opened more than 100 mountainous peaks in Karakoram and other mountain ranges for climbing. Praising mountaineers and Everesters from Ladakh for bringing laurels to the region, he stressed the need for mountaineering and trekking enthusiasts from Ladakh to step forward and make the mountain peaks in Ladakh popular among enthusiasts from India and other countries. LG Mathur urged ITBP, Army, Ladakh Police, International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA) and Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) to push more trekking and mountaineering enthusiasts towards the mountains of Ladakh.
LG Mathur appreciated the steps taken by LMGA to develop professional manpower in Ladakh through mountaineering courses in association with IFMGA. He assured to continue providing support to LMGA to develop professional mountaineering manpower in Ladakh. Stating that mountain rescue operations have the potential to grow more in Ladakh, he requested ITBP and Ladakh Police to develop their own strength by purchasing own equipment and providing training to personnel to empower them to rescue trekkers in case the need arises.
LG Mathur also handed over mountaineering gears/equipment to LMGA.
Earlier, President, LMGA, Skalzang Rigzin informed the objective behind organising the Festival and shared that their main dream is to see someone from Ladakh representing India at the Winter Olympics. He thanked the Administration and the Hill Council for their support in promoting winter sports in Ladakh.
The members of LMGA gave a demonstration of ice climbing, including fixing the rope on the ice wall.
