Ladakh gears up to host 5th Khelo India Winter games for second time

Kargil, Jan 5: The Union Territory of Ladakh is gearing up to host the first leg of the 5th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games, scheduled from January 23 to 27 this year, in Leh.

This marks the second time since the games' inception in 2020 that Ladakh will play host to the event. Following the Leh leg, Jammu and Kashmir will host the second part of the games in Gulmarg from February 21 to 25, 2025.

Officials said that the icy adventures will start from Jan 23-27, 2025, at multiple locations in Leh and that this will be the second year running that UT Ladakh will host a portion of the Khelo India Winter Games.

Notably, before the 2024 edition, J&K used to host all the events. However, after commencing games in Leh successfully, the region hosted ice events like skating and hockey in February 2024.

Gulmarg hosted the snow events like skiing and snowboarding. The Khelo India Winter Games started in 2020.

Official sources told Greater Kashmir that Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, was likely to inaugurate the event. "The Union Territory of Ladakh will host ice sports, including ice hockey and ice skating events, from January 23 to 27, 2025," an official said.

Pertinent to mention that the Khelo India Winter Games are part of the Khelo India Mission, a brainchild of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

As per the details available, almost 1000 athletes, including 306 women, took part in the inaugural edition. The participation has increased over the years. More than 1350 athletes in 2021 and 1500-plus in 2022 highlighted the growing attraction of the Games in J&K.

KIWG 2024 saw the participation of 1200-plus participants, including more than 700 athletes, 141 support staff, 113 technical officials, 250-plus volunteer and sports-specific volunteers, and a total of 136 medals at stake.

“We are looking ahead to an exciting season of the Khelo India Games. The Winter Games will be important because India needs to find the best athletes to represent the country at the 2026 Winter Olympics,” said Union Sports Minister, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.

Dr. Mandaviya said it was their endeavour to promote winter sports and encourage more athletes to take up skiing and skating. "We have already seen many athletes from remote Himalayan villages participating in these games. That’s very encouraging.”

Meanwhile, an official from Leh told Greater Kashmir that it was a matter of privilege and happiness that Ladakh, for the second time, will host the 5th Edition of the Khelo India Winter Games.

He said that the preparations were in full swing to ensure the successful conduct of this prestigious sporting event. "Situated at an elevation of 11,562 ft, the NDS Ice Hockey ring in Leh is among Ladakh's three natural ice hockey arenas, serving as a venue for the KIWG25, officials said.