PM Modi inaugurates second winter games in Jammu & Kashmir

With the beginning of normalization of activities and sports all around the world, India too has geared up for organizing sporting events in the country. The latest edition is of the Winter Games launched in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

This is the second edition of the Kehlo India Winter Games in Gulmarg. PM Modi said that this is a stepping stone towards making J&K a hub of winter sports. As per reports, athletes from all over 27 states and union territories will be competing in the games which will start from March 2. 

Last year’s winter games were a huge success as a lot of talent came through the events which created an opening for them to participate in national and international tournaments with experience in hand. The Prime Minister inaugurated the sporting event through a virtual address. 

During the address, he said, “This is a step towards making India’s presence felt in the international winter games arena and also make Jammu and Kashmir a hub of winter sports. These games in Gulmarg show that Jammu and Kashmir is eager to reach new heights of peace and development. These Games will strengthen the resolve for ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat’.”

He also cited a report from one of the officers saying that the participation of the athletes doubled this year and it is a reflection that slowly but gradually, athletes are inclining towards winter sports in the country. 

With the beginning of normalization of activities and sports all around the world, India too has geared up for organizing sporting events in the country. There were many activities in this year’s winter games which included alpine skiing, nordic ski, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, ice hockey, and ice skating among others. Nearly 1200 participants were present in the virtual address from Gulmarg. He also talked about self-reliant India saying that when you play for Khelo India winter games, you are not just participating in a sport but also making yourself a brand ambassador of self-reliant India.

The sporting event is being organized by the sports ministry along with the Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir. PM further credited Khelo India for being a platform for athletes and also said that these two Khelo India centers of excellence in Jammu and Srinagar and Khelo India centers in 20 are great facilities for the young players.