Khelo India winter games inaugurated

Tribune News Service

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Jammu, February 25

Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Kiren Rijiju, inaugurated the first-ever Khelo India Winter Games in the Union Territory of Ladakh in Leh today.

The event, which is first of its kind in India, is being organised to promote winters sports in India and to popularise these games among the youth of the country.

Rijiju was accompanied by the Lieutenant-Governor of Ladakh UT, RK Mathur.

Speaking at the launch ceremony of the games, Rijiju said, “To channelise 20 per cent share of the youth energy of the world from India, the government is conducting University Games, Youth Games and Winter Games for the first time under the Khelo India programme. So far, 15,000 students have been identified and are under training in various camps. From March 7, J&K Winter games would be conducted in Gulmarg, and I assure increase in funds for improving the standards and participation in the Winter Games.”

The second leg of the Khelo India Winter Games will be held at Kongdori, Gulmarg, from March 7 to March 11 and will have participants competing in Alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snow-boarding and snow-shoeing events.

A total of three winter sporting competitions are being held during the Ladakh leg of Khelo India Winter Games, these are – open ice hockey championship, figure skating, speed skating.

These events will have over 1,700 athletes from Leh and Kargil participating during the competition which would be held at block, district and UT levels during these games.