Skaters sweat it out at Sissu ahead of Khelo India Winter Games

The state ice-skating team is sweating it out in freezing temperatures at Sissu in Lahaul and Spiti district to prepare for the upcoming Khelo India Winter Games.

The games will be held in two phases — ice skating and ice hockey events in Ladakh from January 23 to 27, and skiing and snowboarding events will be held in Gulmarg from February 23 to 27.

“We have started a preparatory camp at Sissu to prepare our team for the first phase of the Games in Ladakh,” said Pradeep Kanwar, who’s vice-president of the ice skating association of the state. He has also been appointed competition manager for ice skating events for the Winter Games by Khelo India authorities.

Kanwar feels the team is shaping up well and would perform well at the competition. “It’s the fourth edition of Khelo India Winter Games. In the last three editions, we have won three medals. Hopefully, we will do much better this time,” said Kanwar.

Kanwar feels the winter games athletes from the state has big advantage over their competitors in terms of stamina and comfort with cold, but the lack of proper infrastructure was keeping them from excelling in winter sports. “If we can have an indoor ice skating rink and advanced equipment, our athletes can do really well at the national and international level,” said Kanwar.

Around 170 athletes from 18 states will compete in the games.