We are immensely proud of the recent consecutive silver medals won by Zubair Ahmad Lone, a snowboarder from Kashmir whose training has been supported by the Span Foundation. In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian snowboarding, Zubair Ahmad Lone from Qazipora Tangmarg, Baramulla, made history by securing India’s first-ever silver medal in the FIS Alpine Snowboard Race held in Serbia. The event featured 45 athletes from various countries, with 20 competitors in Zubair’s senior category. The gold medal was won by a snowboarder from the Czech Republic, while Lone narrowly missed the top spot by just 0.83 seconds, bringing home the silver medal for India. The bronze medal went to a Serbian athlete.

Competing in the senior category, Zubair’s stellar performance against world-class athletes has propelled him into the spotlight, inspiring a new generation of winter sports enthusiasts in Kashmir and beyond. Zubair, who has represented India in prestigious events such as European Cups, NorAm Cups, and FIS races across countries like the United States and Canada, revealed that his journey has been far from easy. Despite facing numerous challenges, his recent success has boosted his confidence as he prepares for upcoming competitions.

Zubair’s rise to the international stage has been fueled by the support of the Delhi-based NGO Span Foundation and Zabarvan, a Delhi-based Mountain Sports Company, which provided him with cutting-edge equipment and essential resources.

He emphasized the importance of nurturing budding athletes to sustain and expand the region’s snowboarding legacy.