Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the second Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg and said that the event is a step towards making Jammu and Kashmir a hub of winter sports.
In his address via video conference, the Prime Minister observed that the second edition of Khelo India Winter Games is a major step towards making Jammu and Kashmir a hub of the Winter Games.
The Prime Minister said that winter games in Jammu & Kashmir would help in developing a new sporting ecosystem and would instil new spirit and enthusiasm in the tourism sector in Jammu & Kashmir.
Experience from this winter games would help the players while participating in the Winter Olympics, said the PM.
With two Khelo India Centres of Excellence and Khelo India Centres in all 20 districts coming up in J&K, the UT would become the centre of sporting excellence, he added.
Athletes from 27 states and Union Territories are competing in the Games which will conclude on March 2.
“This is a step towards making India’s presence felt in the international winter games arena and also make Jammu and Kashmir a hub of winter sports,” he said in the virtual address.
“These games in Gulmarg show that Jammu and Kashmir is eager to reach new heights of peace and development. These Games will strengthen the resolve for ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat’.
“I am told the participation has doubled this year and it is a reflection of the inclination towards winter sports in the country,” he added.
The disciplines to be competed the Games include alpine skiing, nordic ski, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, ice hockey, and ice skating among others.
“When you show your talent in Khelo India-Winter Games, remember that you are not just a part of a sport, but you are also the brand ambassador of a self-reliant India,” the PM said addressing the 1200 participants who have converged at the picturesque Gulmarg.
“The world evaluates India through what you do on the field,” he added.
The Games are being organised by the sports ministry and the Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, who was present in Gulmarg for the inauguration, reiterated his resolve to make India a sporting powerhouse.
“Sports joins states and communities. When a woman from north-east Mary Kom wins a medal, the entire country celebrates. Sports and culture are soft powers of a country,” he said in his address.
“Last time we had announced 100 small Khelo India centres here. We have already approved 40 of them and the rest will be approved in the coming financial year,” he revealed.
“We have also decided to give Mata Vaishno Devi Sport Complex a Khelo India Academy accreditation,” he added. (with PTI inputs)