Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said Gulmarg is on its way to becoming a global centre for winter sports as he addressed the closing ceremony of the second leg of the sixth Khelo India Winter Games at the famous Gulmarg Golf Course.
Calling Kashmir a land of immense sporting promise, Mandaviya said sports can unite people, promote harmony and help drive development in the region. He praised the growing enthusiasm among young athletes and coaches in Jammu and Kashmir, saying a new sporting culture is clearly emerging.
Winter Games to expand into 15-day festival
In a major announcement, the minister revealed that future editions of the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg will be expanded into a 15-day integrated event. The plan is to combine winter sports with tourism and cultural programmes.
“Now the Winter Games will not be limited to four days. By integrating tourism, we will organise a 15-day-long Winter Games that will include a Fit India Carnival, cultural programmes and multiple competitions,” he said.
Mandaviya also announced that a National Centre of Excellence for winter sports will be set up in Jammu and Kashmir to train athletes and build world-class facilities.
Sports replacing conflict headlines
Highlighting the changing image of the region, the minister said sports is now making headlines instead of unrest. He added that this transformation would contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2027.
Mandaviya congratulated the Indian Army team for retaining the Khelo India Winter Games title with a total of 23 medals. Himachal Pradesh finished second, while Haryana secured third place.
The first phase of the Winter Games was held in Ladakh in January, with over 900 athletes from 25 states and Union Territories competing across multiple disciplines in Gulmarg and Leh.
(With inputs from ANI)