GULMARG, FEBRUARY 23: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday inaugurated the 6th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg, terming the mega event a celebration of national unity, diversity and the transformative power of sports.
Welcoming athletes and officials from across the country, the Lieutenant Governor said the Games have evolved from a sporting competition into a true national festival.
“The Khelo India Winter Games revive the ideals of peace, equality and camaraderie. In our diverse nation of many languages and cultures, the Winter Games at Gulmarg are emerging as a universal language and shared heritage,” he said.
Emphasising the broader objective of the event, LG Sinha said the Games aim to strengthen national unity and promote the values of healthy competition and mutual respect.
He said winter sports reflect life’s challenges and build resilience. “Falling, analysing mistakes and rising stronger are the real lessons of sports. On these slopes, athletes will learn discipline, determination and perseverance,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor urged participants to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship. “Here, identity depends only on performance. Every result reflects skill, discipline and grit. Diversity is our strength, and sports unite us beyond language, culture and region,” he said.
He added that winter sports demand extraordinary endurance and technical mastery. “Over the coming days, we will witness not only skill but also the resolve and dedication of athletes competing in alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding and ski mountaineering,” he said.
Highlighting the transformation of the sports sector in Jammu and Kashmir, the LG said modern infrastructure, including facilities developed under the Prime Minister’s Development Package and establishment of 100 Khelo India Centres, has strengthened the sporting ecosystem and created opportunities for youth.
He said the true measure of success at the Games would be the spirit of unity and excellence. “The success of the Winter Games will not be measured only by medals, but by mutual respect, friendship and the pursuit of excellence,” he added.
The four-day event at India’s premier winter sports destination will witness participation of around 1,000 athletes and officials from various states and Union Territories.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Minister for Youth Services and Sports Satish Sharma, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, senior civil and police officials, representatives of the Sports Authority of India and sports enthusiasts attended the inaugural ceremony.
