Winter sports festivities wrap up in Hunza with local beats

GILGIT: The third edition of the glitzy seven-day winter sports festival concluded in Gilgit-Baltistan on Saturday night with enthralling performances by local artists at the Murtazaabad ice rink.

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The Seven Days Frozen Fairytale Winter Feast 2025 featured thrilling games of ice hockey, ice skating, ice curling, and traditional sports. Visitors also enjoyed a variety of traditional food stalls and were captivated by local artists performing the traditional dance to folk music while dressed in traditional attire. In finals of the ice hockey, Ghizer district men and women teams emerged victorious.

Winter sports festivals were organised across Gilgit-Baltistan to promote the region’s winter tourism potential and provide opportunities for local athletes to prepare for national competitions. The final leg of the event took place in Murtazaabad, Hunza, from January 23 to 25. The festival was organised by the GB Tourism Department in collaboration with local communities and NGOs.

The closing ceremony on Saturday was attended by the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister, Eiman Shan, G-B Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmed Mirza, Tourism Secretary Zameer Abbas, and a large gathering of locals and tourists. Prizes were awarded to the winners of various competitions.

While addressing the audience, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmed Mirza highlighted the region’s immense potential for winter sports, stating that Gilgit-Baltistan offers fertile ground for such events. He reaffirmed his commitment to upgrading the ice hockey rink in Hunza to meet international standards.

Addressing the region’s electricity crisis, Mirza assured attendees that the government is actively working to resolve the issue, with “tangible results expected within the next one to two years.”

He also underscored the importance of promoting both winter and summer tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, emphasising the region’s rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty.

Earlier, the Baltistan leg of the Seven Days Frozen Fairytale Winter Feast 2025 concluded on Tuesday with a two-day winter festival held at the Hussainabad ice rink in Skardu. Local artists enchanted the audience with mesmerising performances.

The ice-skating events saw significant participation from local athletes, both male and female, from areas including Shigar, Ghanche, Kharmang, and Skardu. Young skaters glided on the ice, waving the national flag to the tunes of national songs. In the final ice hockey match, Skardu B defeated Skardu A to win the championship trophy.

A separate two-day intra-district ice hockey tournament concluded last week in Sultanabad village, Yasen, in the Ghizer district. Organised by the Ghizer district administration in collaboration with the tourism department and the Snow-Capped Adventure Club, the event featured male and female teams from across the district. Traditional games, food stalls, and musical performances by local artists attracted thousands, creating a festive atmosphere.

Similarly, a two-day Winter Sports Festival in Gorikot are of Astore district, organised by the district administration in collaboration with the tourism department and the Pakistan Army, concluded last week. The festival also included tug-of-war competitions and vibrant performances by artists dancing to traditional music.

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Karakoram Winterlude Season 7 in Hunza wrapped up on January 19. This event, organised by SCARF in partnership with NGOs, began on January 11 at Altit, featuring various winter sports and cultural activities.