PM Modi inaugurates Khelo India Winter Games, says will make J&K winter sports hub

New Delhi, Feb 26: "This is a major step towards making Jammu and Kashmir a major hub with India's effective presence in the Winter Games," Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the sports meet said as the second edition of Khelo India Winter Games saw a grand launch on Friday in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir.

 

 

While delivering the inaugural address virtually, he said, "This is a major step towards making Jammu and Kashmir a major hub with India's effective presence in the Winter Games. He remarked that the number of players participating in this winter games from various states have doubled which demonstrates the increasing enthusiasm towards Winter Games and such events will "help the players while participating in winter Olympics", he said.

 

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju was present during the ceremony at Golf Club, Gulmarg along with Manoj Sinha, Lt. Governor, J&K. The annual event, which made its debut last year in Ladakh and J&K, is organized by the J&K Sports Council and the Winter Games Association of J&K under the aegis of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. The sports meet will go on till March 2.

 

PM Modi further said "Winter games in Jammu & Kashmir would help in developing a new sporting ecosystem and would instill new spirit and enthusiasm in the tourism sector in Jammu & Kashmir.

 

 

Apart from this, PM Modi asserted that sports have been given a place of pride in the recent National Education Policy. Sports, which was considered extra-curricular activity earlier is now being treated as part of the curriculum and grading in sports will be counted in the education of the children.

 

On this occasion Rijiju announced various plans to further develop the sports ecosystem in J&K. “We had announced that we will create a state-of-the-art winter sports academy here. Now, we are happy to inform that all the procedures are in place to get the world standard institute opened here soon. Funds have already been allocated."

 

“Out of 100 small Khelo India Centres we had announced across all districts of the valley, 40 are already approved and the remaining 60 will be approved in the next financial year in Jammu. Retired players, coaches can run these centers and give back to sports, while earning a dignified source of livelihood. We have also opened 2 KISCEs here focusing on the disciplines of Judo, Fencing and Rowing. In Srinagar too, we have decided on opening a water sports facility which may be completed by April or May. Also, we have decided to give a Khelo India academy accreditation to the Mata Vaishnodevi sports complex,” Rijiju added.

 

 

Besides, Manoj Joshi, Lt. Governor, J&K, thanked the sports department for the smooth conduct of the launch event, and said, “We want to give the message of unity, love, empowerment and peace through the games in the beautiful valley of Gulmarg. We are ranked 14 in winter sports destination in the world but with the support of our PM, Shri Rijiju, the Central government, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, the UT sports dept and sports council and especially, the energy of the youth, J&K will get in the top 5.”

 

 

The second edition of the Games will see a participation of over 1200 people, including 600 athletes across 27 States and Union Territories. The participation list of athletes also includes the Indian Army and the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports. The various sports disciplines include Sprint, Speed Skating, Ice Hockey, Figure Skating, Ice Stock, Giant Slalom, Snow Boarding, Vertical Race, Cross Country, Snowshoe, Long distance running, Ski Mountaineering, Skiing and Nordic Ski.

 

The J&K administration has put in place a special team of doctors and ambulances round the clock for the length of the event, along with a special team of the State Disaster Response Fund for relief and rescue operations. Last year, hosts J&K topped the medal tally with a total of 26 golds.