Khelo India Games turning Ladakh into nation’s winter sports hub

With the first leg of the 6th Khelo India Winter Games all set to conclude here on Monday, the national event is helping Ladakh to emerge as the country's hub for winter sports, locals and officials said. This year was the third time that Ladakh hosted Khelo India Winter Games, with over 1,060 participants. While the first phase is hosted by Ladakh, the snow leg of KIWG will be held in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir, in the coming months. As different venues are attracting locals in large numbers, officials said that the event is giving a boost to Ladakh's winter sports activities.

Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta recently said that the UT hosting the Khelo India Winter Games for the third consecutive year reflects the "confidence reposed by the nation in Ladakh's capability, commitment and preparedness to organise major sporting events in challenging high-altitude conditions."

He also said the games are playing a crucial role in promoting winter sports, nurturing young talent and strengthening the sporting ecosystem in the region.

Amitabh Sharma, president of the Ice Skating Association of India, told The Tribune that with every edition, things are improving in Ladakh. "All the facilities have improved. The highlight is that now you have an all-weather rink in Ladakh," he said, adding that it "is going to promote the winter sports more and specifically ice sports."

Sharma also said that Khelo India is helping Ladakh, adding that they are trying to "bring an international event here for the long track."

"I think sports has the power to change a lot of things, to change the economies of any city wherever it is. So, for Leh, I am 100% sure that organising such events will be a great initiative," he said.

Mohammad Abbas Nordak, a senior coach who heads the ice skating association of Ladakh, said that the Games are transforming winter sports in Ladakh, with facilities improving over the years.

Earlier this month, a 24×7 ice hockey rink worth Rs 53.58 crore was inaugurated at Leh's NDS Stadium.

"There is huge scope in Ladakh for winter sports, and the government should work to add more infrastructure across Ladakh to boost the winter sports activities," said Rinchen, a youngster.