Gulmarg, Feb 26 (UNI) union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday announced that future editions of the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg will be expanded into a 15-day integrated sporting festival, reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to transforming the region into a premier global winter sports destination.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the second leg of the 6th Khelo India Winter Games here, the minister said the scenic town holds immense potential to emerge as an international winter sports hub.
“The land of Kashmir has immense potential, Gulmarg will be the global hub for winter sports in the coming times,” the Minister said.
The union minister said that after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, a renewed sense of belief has emerged in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Earlier stone-pelters used to make headlines now it is sports. Times are a changing in J&K and will have a massive role to meet PM Narendra Modi’s dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2027,” he said.
Mandaviya emphasized that sports have the power to unite society, foster sportsmanship, create harmony and drive development.
Reflecting on his interactions with athletes and coaches at Khelo India Centres in Jammu and Kashmir, he noted the remarkable sporting spirit emerging from the region.
In a major announcement, he said the Winter Games will evolve into a multi-dimensional event combining sports, tourism and cultural activities.
“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 a Fit India Carnival, cultural programmes and multiple competitions,” he said.
In a bid to promote sports, culture and tourism and to make Gulmarg a “world-class tourism destination”, Mandaviya said the region’s potential must be fully explored.
“I have travelled to 55 countries and also travelled to Switzerland in Europe. Today when I was on the highest slopes of Pir Panjal and watched with awe the white beauty all around, it was simply breath-taking,” the Minister said.
Mandaviya reiterated that the Khelo Bharat Niti has been transforming the face of Indian sports.
“Khelo Bharat Niti will fulfil the aspirations of the youth of India. Times have changed and there can be no politics in sports. Our policies are athlete centric and not built in favour of national federations,” he said.
The first phase of KIWG 2026 was held in Ladakh from January 20 to 26. More than 900 athletes from 25 states and union Territories participated in six sports disciplines across Gulmarg and Leh.
Mandaviya also felicitated the Indian Army team for successfully defending the Khelo India Winter Games championship title. The Army secured nine gold, six silver and eight bronze medals. Runners-up Himachal Pradesh (14 medals including six gold, seven silver and one bronze) and third-placed Haryana were also presented trophies by the union minister.
