Srinagar, Dec 22: Preparations for the fifth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games are underway at the renowned ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Officials are optimistic about the event’s growing success and its positive impact on tourism.
Scheduled for February 2025, the Games will bring together top athletes from across the country, competing in various winter sports. Officials expect this edition to surpass previous records in terms of participation and audience engagement.
Since the inaugural Khelo India Winter Games in 2020, Gulmarg has witnessed a significant rise in tourist footfall, boosting its reputation as a premier winter sports destination. Officials noted that the Games have increased Gulmarg’s visibility, attracting more tourists and sports enthusiasts. Preparations are in place to ensure the event’s success.
The Winter Games will be held in two phases, with Ladakh hosting the ice events from January 23 to 27, 2025, and Jammu & Kashmir hosting the snow events from February 22 to 25, 2025.
Rauf Tramboo, President of the Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir (WGAJK), stated that the government of India granted hosting rights to Kashmir to promote winter and adventure tourism.
“With athletes from all over India coming to Kashmir, the event is going to act as a winter sports and tourism promotion in coming years,” Decan Herald quoted Tramboo.
The inaugural edition of the Games in 2020 saw around 1,000 athletes, including 306 women. Participation has steadily increased, with over 1,350 athletes in 2021 and more than 1,500 in 2022, highlighting the Games’ growing popularity.
For the first time in 2024, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, along with the Sports Authority of India, managed the Games’ technical aspects in collaboration with the National Sports Federations and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The upcoming edition is expected to further strengthen Gulmarg’s standing as a premier winter destination in India.
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