J&K’s winter sports extravaganza will renew brotherhood, peace, harmony: LG

Gulmarg, Feb 21: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Wednesday said that the snow sports events of the 4th Khelo India Games at Gulmarg ski resort would renew brotherhood, peace, and harmony.

Inaugurating the snow sports events of the 4th Khelo India Games at Gulmarg, the LG said, “The 4th Khelo India Winter Games, over the next 4 days, will honour the hard work, skills, dedication, and sporting excellence on the ski slope and I am confident it will renew the spirit of brotherhood, peace, and harmony among all the teams.”

LG Sinha conveyed his best wishes to athletes from all over the country participating in different winter sports disciplines.

“It is a momentous occasion for more than 600 athletes who have been preparing for this spectacular event,” he said.

The LG invited the athletes, team officials, and sports enthusiasts to enjoy the warm hospitality of Jammu and Kashmir, enjoy the thrill of alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, and snow mountaineering competitions, and enjoy the incredible sights and cuisine of Kashmir.

At the inaugural ceremony, he highlighted the efforts of the government to promote a robust sports culture in the cities and the villages of J&K.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new era of sports has emerged in J&K. Renewed thrust on state-of-art infrastructure and allied facilities have given a huge impetus to the sports sector,” LG Sinha said. “Our talented sportspersons have proved their mettle in national and international sports events. Their achievements are inspiring the budding athletes to bring laurels to J&K and the nation.”

He also thanked the Centre, Union Sports Ministry, and Sports Authority of India for their support and cooperation.

“Under PMDP, national and international level sports infrastructure has been developed in J&K,” he said.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur, through a video message, extended his best wishes for the successful conduct of the Khelo India Winter Games event and encouraged the participating athletes to give their best in the tournament.

Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports and Home Affairs, Nisith Pramanik, who was also present on the occasion, lauded the LG-led J&K administration for developing sports infrastructure at the grassroots level and setting a milestone for other states as well.

Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo; Vice Chairperson J&K KVIB, Hina Shafi Bhat; Maj Gen J Fernandes of HAWS; Principal Secretary to LG, Mandeep Kumar Bhandari; IGP Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi; Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Yasha Mudgal; Secretary Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez; Deputy Commissioner (DC), Baramulla, Minga Sherpa were also present on the occasion.