Khelo India Winter Games are scheduled to be held from 10th to 14th Feb at Jammu and Kashmir

February 4, 2023February 4, 2023 MTIMES

New Delhi: The Khelo India Winter Games are scheduled to be held from 10th to 14th February at Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir. The Khelo India Winter Games is supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and is organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council as well as the Winter Games Association, J and K.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur along with Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, Sh. Manoj Sinha today launched 3rd Khelo India Winter Games Mascot, Theme Song and Jersey at Raj Bhavan, Jammu.

During the on this launch, Anurag Singh Thakur said, Khelo India Winter Games is a part of Khelo India Abhiyan, a thought of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to encourage youth towards games and make India an emerging soft sports power on the global stage.

Shri Thakur said that over the past eight years, the mindset of families in the country related to youth participation in games has changed significantly, which was made possible through the Khelo India Abhiyan, Fit India campaign launched by Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi.

Under PM Narendra Modi, not only the sports infrastructure has been improved in India but he is encouraging the youth to play games especially through his timely interactions with the players before participating in big events at the international level or after making India proud on the global stage which has never happened before.

More than 1500 players hailing from 29 states and UTs participating in the Khelo India Winter Games will not only encourage the youth of J&K for the games but will boost tourism in J&K. Enchanted by the beauty of Kashmir and the changes that have been brought in J&K over the last many years, the players and officials will become brand ambassadors promoting J&K tourism, peace and tranquility, he added.

Congratulations to Lieutenant General, J&K Manoj Sinha on today’s launch of the Khelo India Winter Games mascot, theme song and jersey, Sh. Thakur said the launch of Khelo India Winter Games sends a message across the country that J&K is waiting for them to watch these games and will provide an unforgettable thrill and experience. Thakur also said that by starting these games here, the youth can be prepared to participate in the Olympics and provide them with the best facilities for preparation.

During the launch, Lt. Gen., J&K said that under PMDP, sports infrastructure has been improved in every nook and corner of J&K, encouraging the youth to play games. Sh. Sinha also said that every panchayat of J&K has a sports facility and the target of engaging 50 thousand youth in sports activities has been surpassed. Through the new sports policy, attractive career opportunities will be provided to athletes, he added.

The Winter Games are scheduled to be held from the 10th to the 14th of this month in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir. The Khelo India Winter Games is supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and organized by the J&K Sports Council as well as the J&K Winter Games Association.

More than 1500 players from all over the country will participate in the games which will be held in Gulmarg and will be played in 9 sports events. The first edition of the Khelo India Winter Games was held in 2020 and Jammu and Kashmir has come out on top in both editions of the games so far.