SRINAGAR: Gulmarg will host the second leg of the 5th Khelo India Winter Games from March 9 to 12 after the event was postponed due to inadequate snow, officials said on Monday.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched the official website for Khelo India Winter Games 2025 (kwig2025.com) at the Civil Secretariat today.
Around 700 participants, including 650 technical staff, delegates and local athletes are competing across six disciplines, including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, ski mountaineering, and snowboarding.
Meanwhile, the announcement has been met with joy and relief among athletes, who were eager to compete but had been left in limbo due to weather uncertainties. Several participants expressed their happiness and excitement over the fresh dates, saying they had been eagerly waiting for the competition.
“We were disappointed when the event was postponed, but now, with fresh snowfall and a new schedule, we are thrilled to compete in perfect conditions”, athletes said, adding that the Khelo India Winter Games is an important platform for them, and they are glad to showcase our talent on the best slopes.
Notably, the Jammu and Kashmir government had earlier formed two high-level committees to oversee the successful organization of the event.
Nuzhat Gull, Secretary of the J&K Sports Council, had earlier assured that all logistical arrangements, including hotel bookings, event management, and infrastructure readiness, had been meticulously completed.
The first leg of the Games was successfully held in Ladakh from January 23 to 27, 2025, where ice hockey and ice skating events took place at NDS Sports Complex and Guphuk Pond. (KNO)
