Kashmir is on the verge of starting a new chapter in its sporting history with the first-ever MTB Downhill – Zabarwan Legends Series, the first international mountain biking event of this nature in the region.
This year will mark the end of the peaceful silence Gulmarg has enjoyed as mountain bike tires will crunch on the ground and spectators will cheer.
This is not just another sporting event; this is an announcement. This is the confident declaration of Kashmir’s position emerging on the global adventure tourism map. For too long, the world has appreciated its spectacular landscapes only in their serenity.
The same slopes of the Zabarwan range of mountains, with their steepness and amazing views, will now be endorsed to recognize a world-class disaster-waiting-to-happen athleticism.
The attendance of a mixing of national and international athletes from countries including Australia, Taiwan, Czech Republic, Italy, Brazil, and Indonesia concretizes its global appeal and world-class athletic potential.
The legacy of this event will be felt well past the finish line. This will offer to Gulmarg ‘s status alongside elite top tier adventure travel destinations like Whistler or the Alphas.
This international exposure will highlight the event, but also the…” opportunity of a year-round destination for cycling, hiking and outdoor adventure.
This diversification is important to establishing a sustainable tourism economy that will give visitors greater reasons to return for more than just the seasons.
The Zabarwan Legends Series provides incredible opportunities for local youth. To witness world class athletes racing and riding through the mountains will create inspiration for a new generation to think about their backyard as something other than a place of residence and as a natural gym and possible career.
It provides local talent with tremendous opportunities to compete, to learn and to achieve success on the international stage while further developing a new culture for adventure sports in the valley.
For sure, an event of this nature will require world class infrastructure and world class hospitality which creates immediate opportunities for economic growth for local businesses, hotels, guides, retail shops, restaurants, etc.
The international exposure of a successful event will change the perception of Kashmir, beyond any advertising campaign can or would, and will tell a story of normalcy, vibrancy and untapped opportunity.
