Ladakh can emerge as India’s premier winter sports destination: LG Kavinder Gupta

Kargil, Oct 13: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta on Monday said the region has immense potential to emerge as India’s premier winter sports destination and stressed the need to develop infrastructure and nurture local talent for national and international competitions.

LG Ladakh said the region needed adequate winter sports infrastructure and connectivity to attract both domestic and international winter sports lovers, with a special focus on boosting winter tourism to boost the livelihood opportunities of the locals.

LG Kavinder Gupta made these comments while chairing a meeting to discuss the upcoming development projects related to winter sports at Drass and Zanskar.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of LAHDC Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon; the Executive Councillor of LAHDC Kargil, Er Punchok Tashi; Councillors from Drass and Zanskar; the Administrative Secretary of YSS, Bhanu Prabha; the Joint Director of YSS, Tahir Hussain; government officials; and members from the Ski Association and Zanskar Ski School.

LG Gupta emphasised tapping Ladakh’s winter sports potential to develop the region as a premier winter sports destination for skiers and winter sports lovers on the lines of Gulmarg.

He stressed that the establishment of the Winter Sports Academy and the installation of the chairlift/ski drag lift would also boost tourism and provide economic opportunities for local residents.

He underlined UT Administration’s commitment to developing Ladakh into a top winter sports destination, with Khelo India Winter Games and other winter sports events, particularly those related to ice hockey, being organised annually in Ladakh during the peak winter months. LG also mentioned key notable initiatives taken by the UT Administration, with the support of the Government of India, including the installation of the chilling plant for the ice hockey rink at NDS Stadium in Leh and also in Kargil to create year-round artificial ice for the benefit of local players.

The development of such infrastructure would help in nurturing local talent for national and international competitions, including the Winter Olympics.

The stakeholders, including the CEC/Chairman, Executive Councillor, and Councillors from LAHDC Kargil, along with members of the Ski Association, requested the LG Gupta to initiate work on winter sports development at the earliest, highlighting the potential for Ladakh to become a hub for winter sports in India while empowering local talent.

Earlier, officials from Ronmas Pvt India, the consultancy firm, were apprised about the project, with a chairlift/ski drag lift to be established in the first phase and a winter sports academy in the second.