Sports extravaganza in Gulmarg: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurates the 6th Khelo India Winter GamesJNM journalist Hardeep Jamwal, JammuJammu. The 6th Khelo India Winter Games kicked off in a grand manner on Monday in Gulmarg, a popular tourist destination in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha formally inaugurating the event. In the presence of athletes, coaches, and officials from various states and union territories, the event emerged as a symbol of national unity and sportsmanship.Welcoming the athletes, the Lieutenant Governor said that the Khelo India Winter Games are no longer just a competition, but a true national celebration. He said that in a diverse India, such events strengthen shared culture, brotherhood, and harmony. These winter games, held on the snowy slopes of Gulmarg, are taking the country’s unity to new heights.He said that competitions like Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and ski mountaineering test the athletes’ courage, discipline, and technical proficiency. Balance, patience, and constant practice in icy conditions are what make a player a champion. The true lesson of sports is recovering from a fall and rising again.

The Lieutenant Governor also stated that a true athlete remains humble in victory and dignified in defeat. He urged the athletes to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship and excel.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Youth Services and Sports Minister Satish Sharma, Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, Gulmarg MLA Farooq Ahmad Shah, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, along with several senior officials and representatives of sports organizations were present on the occasion.

Referring to the changes in sports infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Lieutenant Governor said that the establishment of modern sports facilities and 100 Khelo India Centers under the Prime Minister’s Development Package has given a new direction to the youth of the state.

Approximately 1,000 athletes and officials are participating in the four-day event. The closing ceremony on February 26 will not only honor the medal winners but also celebrate the spirit of national unity, mutual respect, and excellence.
The applause and enthusiasm resonating in the snow-capped valleys of Gulmarg clearly demonstrate that the Khelo India Winter Games are not only providing a platform to sporting talent but also establishing a new identity for Jammu and Kashmir on the national sports map.