Srinagar, Jan 14 (IANS): The Jammu and Kashmir winter games association (WGA) announced on Friday the postponement of skiing championship scheduled on January 17 due to the surge in Covid infection.

Muhammad Abbas Wani, president of WGA, told reporters that the skiing championship that includes alpine skiing, Nordic skiing and snowbound was scheduled to start on January 17 at Gulmarg.

"Teams from north, central Kashmir and south Kashmir were slated to take part in the skiing championship.

"In view of the Covid outbreak in the tourist resort as some boys have tested positive, we have deferred the event that would otherwise stretch till February.

"We will now wait for the clearance from the government and also take precautionary measures if the championship resumes.

"If the championship resumes, players will have to undergo proper testing and no player will be allowed to participate without parental consent.

"Safety of players is of utmost importance and we can't take risks by allowing them to play amid pandemic outbreak".

The postponement of the skiing championship came at a time when around 70 students and officials, who were part of the skiing camp at Gulmarg organised by Jammu and Kashmir Youth Services and Sports (YSS) department, tested positive for Covid-19.