Khelo India Winter Games to kick off in Gulmarg today
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Gulmarg: The much-anticipated Khelo India Winter Games 2025 kick off in Gulmarg on Sunday, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the region’s snowclad peaks. The final phase of the event promises electrifying performances, further elevating winter sports in India.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is set to preside over the grand inaugural function, arriving from Jammu for the occasion.
The Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) serve as India’s national-level, multidisciplinary grassroots winter sports event, featuring a diverse range of competitions, including alpine skiing, nordic skiing, snow rugby, ice stock sport, snow baseball, mountaineering, snowshoe running, ice hockey, figure skating, and speed skating.
Following the successful editions of the Khelo India Youth Games, the inaugural Khelo India Winter Games were launched in 2020.
In the first leg of KIWG-2025, held in Ladakh from January 23 to 27, Ladakh emerged as the overall leader with seven medals, including four golds. Tamil Nadu followed with five medals, including three golds, while Maharashtra secured 10 medals but finished third with only two golds.
Now, with the final leg underway in Gulmarg, the Indian Army aims to reclaim its overall title as the competition intensifies.
This edition features over 350 athletes from 11 states, two Union Territories, and central forces, including the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The competition spans four major disciplines: Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Ski Mountaineering, and Snowboarding.
Initially scheduled from February 22 to 25, the event faced delays due to insufficient snowfall in Afarwat slopes and Gulmarg’s main bowl. However, with fresh snow blanketing the region, the Games are set to deliver a thrilling spectacle.
Security has been tightened to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, and other security forces have deployed personnel in and around Gulmarg under a multi-tier security plan.
With local athletes also competing across multiple disciplines, the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 mark a significant step forward in India’s winter sports landscape.
With IANS inputs
