L-G inaugurates Khelo India Games

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday attended the inaugural ceremony of the 5th Khelo India Winter Games at the Gulmarg skiing resort in Baramulla district.

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The Lieutenant Governor welcomed athletes and team officials from across the country, conveying his best wishes to all participants in various winter sports disciplines. “Khelo India Winter Games symbolise the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. The world-famous winter tourism destination Gulmarg has been developed as a winter sports city. I welcome you all,” Sinha said during the inauguration.

He added that a true champion is defined not by victory or defeat but by passion, enthusiasm, courage, and sportsmanship. “This is your opportunity to show the world the skills and unique abilities you have acquired after years of hard work and inspire the young generation. Let us strengthen our bond as a family by imbibing the values of sportsmanship, brotherhood, and promote peace, unity, and harmony,” the Lieutenant Governor remarked.

Sinha also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Department, the Sports Council, and all other stakeholders for their efforts in promoting a robust sports culture and developing state-of-the-art sports infrastructure, allied facilities, and global standard coaching in Jammu and Kashmir.

"I am proud of what we have achieved in the last four-and-a-half years. Today, Jammu Kashmir has become home to national and international-level sporting events. International cricket has returned to the Kashmir Valley after three decades. The success of previous editions of Khelo India Winter Games, along with the inspirational success stories of our sportspersons in various disciplines, reflects our sporting power," Sinha stated.

The L-G also spoke on key initiatives taken by the government to promote sports in Jammu and Kashmir. "We are soon going to complete the construction of the prestigious Khel Gaon in Nagrota, and high-performance training centres are being developed across the districts in Jammu and Kashmir in a phased manner to enhance the training and performance of athletes," he said.

Sinha on Sunday attended the inaugural ceremony of the 5th Khelo India Winter Games at the Gulmarg skiing resort in Baramulla district.