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

Athletes from 27 states and Union Territories are competing in the Games which will conclude on March 2.

Published : Feb 26, 2021 13:02 IST

Decorated ski resort of Gulmarg on the eve of Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg- PTI

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 the country.

"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 a virtual address.

"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.

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Athletes from 27 states and Union Territories are competing in the Games which will conclude on March 2.

The disciplines in Games include alpine skiing, nordic ski, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, ice hockey, and ice skating among others.

The Prime Minister further said that the participating athletes in these games were 'brand ambassador of a self-reliant India'.

"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 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.

"The two Khelo India centre of excellence in Jammu and Srinagar and Khelo India centres in 20 districts are great facilities for the young players. Such centres are being opened all over the world," the PM stated.

60 Khelo India centres to be approved in upcoming financial year, says Rijiju

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 Commplex a Khelo India Academy accreditation," he added.