SRINAGAR: The fourth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games, scheduled to take place at the renowned ski resort Gulmarg, will now be held from February 21-26 this year.
Initially planned for February 02-06, the much-anticipated fourth edition of the event has been postponed due to an extended dry spell.
Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council Secretary, Nuzhat Gul while cconfirming the development said that the event is scheduled to be held from February 21-February 26 at Gulmarg.
She further said that the players from different parts of the country will arrive at the venue from February 18, 2024.
Pertinently, the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir had written to the Government of India, seeking the deferment of the Khelo India Edition-4 in wake of the prolonged dry spell.
The venue for the event as well as the rest of the Valley witnessed a prolonged dry spell of nearly two months as no major weather activity was recorded during the period. The prolonged dry spell also surpassed the previous records as the Chillai-Kalan, the major winter period in Kashmir, this year, was the driest-ever at all the places across the Valley.
However, after the culmination of a major cold period, all the places across the Valley experienced snowfall while over one feet of snowfall has been recorded at the venue of Khelo India Edition-4.
Gul had earlier confirmed that they have finalised all the arrangements to ensure another successful event at Gulmarg.
Moreover, an official communiqué reads that a pivotal meeting was convened at the Gulmarg Club, chaired by the Chief Executive Officer of Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA), to discuss preparations for the upcoming 4th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 in Gulmarg.
The meeting commenced with a concise introduction outlining the agenda for the event. Present at the gathering were representatives from various hotels in Gulmarg, ensuring a comprehensive discussion on accommodation arrangements for the forthcoming games.
All hoteliers enthusiastically pledged their commitment to providing ample accommodation to meet the requirements of the event.
It is worth mentioning that the 1st edition of Khelo India National Winter Games 2020 was successfully conducted at Gulmarg from 7th to 11th March, 2020, in which more than 1000 participants from across the country participated.
The second edition of Khelo India was conducted in the year 2021 while in the year 2022, the third edition was postponed amid the surge in COVID positive cases across the country.
Later, the third edition of Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg was conducted in 2023 in which over 2000 participants including players, tourists and officials of different departments participated—(KNO)
