Hyderabad: In a bid to make India a sporting powerhouse, the Sports Ministry is all set to host the Khelo India Winter Games to help India promote and excel in Winter sports.
After the success of Khelo India Youth Games and the ongoing Khelo India University Games, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on February 13 announced to host the inaugural Khelo India Winter Games in the Union Territory of Ladakh and in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. While the games in Ladakh will begin from February 25, the games in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir will be held from March 7.
Amid revocation of special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir that led to security lockdown and a communication blockade for months in the newly formed union territories, this is seen as an attempt by the Indian government to normalise the situation in the valley and in the meantime also promote sports in the region.
Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, while speaking about the decision to organise the Khelo India Winter Games, said "There is no better means than sports to channelise the energy of youth in the right direction."
"We have included disciplines like Ice Hockey, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, that are part of Olympics, and with time we may also be able to produce champions in these disciplines in India.
"I am happy to announce the initiation of yet another Khelo India Games. This will be the third Khelo India Games in one year."
The sports ministry is set to fund both the Khelo India Winter games.
The games in Ladakh will feature open ice hockey championship, figure skating, and speed skating events, and will be conducted at block, district and UT levels with an expected participation of about 1700 athletes.
Meanwhile, the competition in Gulmarg will be staged in four age categories for both boys and girls.
Athletes in the age categories of 19-21 years, 17-18 years, 15-16 years and 13-14 years can compete in alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snow boarding and snowshoeing.
Around 841 athletes and officials are expected to participate in the Games being organised by J&K Sports Council and Winter Games Association of J&K, with 15 teams from different states and organisations.
The Sports Ministry is set to revive the National Winter Games under Khelo India's patronage and thus the Gulmarg national winter games falls under the Khelo India programme.
Meanwhile, the Sports Ministry has also discussed to host Khelo India Games for indigenous sports.
"We plan to organise one for indigenous games as well," Rijiju said while announcing the Khelo India Winter Games.
