UNION MINISTER for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya said Gulmarg is steadily positioning itself as a global destination for winter sports while addressing the closing ceremony of the second leg of the sixth Khelo India Winter Games at the Gulmarg Golf Course.
The Minister announced that future editions of the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg will be expanded into a 15-day integrated festival, combining competitive winter sport with tourism and cultural programming.
“Now the Winter Games will not be limited to four days. By integrating tourism, we will organise a 15-day-long Winter Games that will include Fit India Carnival, cultural programmes and multiple competitions,” he said.
The second leg of the sixth edition drew more than 900 athletes from 25 States and Union Territories, bringing together talent from across the country.
Mandaviya also revealed plans to establish a National Centre of Excellence in Jammu & Kashmir to strengthen winter sports infrastructure and high-performance training pathways in the region.
Congratulating the winners, he praised the Indian Army team for successfully defending their title with a haul of 23 medals. Himachal Pradesh finished second, while Haryana secured third place.
