Pulwama: Different winter games under Khelo India campaign were organised for the first time in Bagh Sangerwani village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday.

The games including snow cricket , Snow Run and Tug of War were played on snow bound ground in this far flung village, which was recently designated as tourist destination by authorities under Tourist Villages Development Programme.

A large of youth took part in the winter games and were overwhelmed with excitement.

“ It was for the first time we witnessed winter sports on snow bound ground here in our village,” Aijaz Ahmad, a local of Bagh Sangerwani said, adding that such events provides an opportunity to youngsters to showcase their talent.

He said that such events should be sustained in the future.

“These events will help in youth engagement,” he said.

Another local youth said that they appreciate DC Pulwama, Baseer ul Haq Chaudhry and District Officer, Youth Services and Sports ( YSS) Pulwama, Syed Noor ul Haq for organising different winter games in Bagh Sangerwani under Khelo India.

“ Such events keep youngsters away from social evils like drug abuse and at the same help in distressing,” he said, adding that now games are not played for fun only but seen as a career opportunity.

District Officer YSS, Syed Noor ul Haq, said that around 200 players took part in the event.

“The aim of different activities under Khelo India going on every nook and corner is to search the raw talent hidden in distant villages and cities and groom them so that they will represent the country,” he said, adding that players like Umran Malik and Samad were found in events like these held in distant villages.