Khelo India Gulmarg: More than 1500 athletes from 29 states will participate in the winter sports events in Jammu and Kashmir. Kashmir’s Gulmarg is hosting the third Khelo India Winter Games at the world famous ski resort. This is the second time that Gulmarg is hosting the Khelo India Winter Games, hosting the inaugural Games in 2021.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha along with Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur inaugurated the Games on Friday. Hundreds of athletes from the country will participate in the five-day event, which is the largest contingent related to the hosting of Jammu and Kashmir.
need to build infrastructure
Anurag Thakur, Union Sports Minister said, “I am happy that we have been able to do the third edition of Khelo India. More than 1500 players from 29 states have come to participate in it. I am sure we will see many great talents Those will be selected to play in national and international tournaments. I am sure more and more youth will come to learn ski and winter sports activities. We need to build good infrastructure for sports.”
also promotes tourism
According to the government, winter sports are a platform for the youth of the country to compete and reach a level where they can represent the country. By organizing Winter Games in Kashmir, it not only provides opportunities for athletes but also promotes tourism.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said, “If you look at the mountaineering institute and the ski institute, most of the instructors are from Kashmir. The students are from the rest of the country. That’s what they are giving to the rest of the country. It will create more employment for the region I have seen how the number of tourists has increased and the number of people doing adventure sports has also increased.”
14-year-old Jia among the athletes preparing
This year the number of female athletes has increased in the Khelo India Winter Games. Several women athletes are gearing up for the 2026 Winter Olympics and among them is 14-year-old Jiya, who has already won India’s first international gold medal in under-16 alpine skiing.
Many women will participate in the Olympics
Jiya Aryan from Karnataka said, “I am really excited to participate here and the athletes of winter sports are getting a lot of exposure. We are really getting the kind of exposure that is needed and the summer sports in India Is equal. If we want to win medals in Olympics then we have to follow the same path. Gulmarg is a natural platform for us athletes. I can give it in writing that in 2026 Winter Olympics many women will participate.”
Winter sports getting a boost
The Sports Ministry of India is promoting winter sports in the country. India wants to prepare more athletes for winter sports to represent the country in Winter Olympics. And organizing the Khelo India Winter Games in Kashmir is providing a platform to these athletes.
Haryana athlete Anushka said, “This is my first time in Khelo India, I am a national gold medalist, it is a proud moment for me to participate here. I am sure one day I will represent the country. Gulmarg is a natural The stage is there. We are the champions and we will win despite the difficulties.”
Khelo India Winter Games will end on 14 February 2023.