INDIA: The second edition of Khelo India will begin in Gulmarg on Friday. The winter games will see a total of 1200 participants from all over the country including the 27 states and 8 union territories of India.
“Athletes from 27 states and Union Territories will converge on the snow-bound slopes of Gulmarg during the event to compete in different categories of sports,” an official spokesman of the J&K government said in a statement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has e-inaugurated the five-day game which will include different cultural programs showcasing the arts and crafts. Moreover, stalls are set up which include local authentic food and crafts among other necessities.
Khelo India winter games event
Ice skating, ice hockey, skiing, Nordic ski, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, ice stock, and snowshoe race include the games that will be seen in the event.
Khelo India is an initiative to strengthen the sports ecosystem by encouraging mass participation and promotion of excellence, as quoted by Khelo India on Twitter.
“We want to encourage the youth of India. We want to support our young generation for excellence in sports,” said Honorable Minister of Sports, Kiren Rijiju during the inauguration.
“The increase in the number of participations from states and the UN of India stipulates that the youth of India is coming forward with talents and powers,” said PM Narendra Modi in his inauguration speech. Adding that the ahtletes will take the experience from Khelo India winter games and use the same in the Podium of Winter Olympics.
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Furthermore, the game is organized by the Union ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports along with the contribution of J&K sports council and the Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir.
Previosuly, the first edition of Khelo India was held in Odisha from 22 Feb which concluded on March 1 of 2020.