In a stirring speech at Gulmarg’s Khelo India Winter Games closing, Union Youth and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya pledged to catapult the J&K destination into the league of global winter sports capitals. The second phase united over 900 athletes from 25 states/UTs, embodying sports’ role in nation-building.
‘Kashmir’s terrain is a goldmine for winter sports; Gulmarg will lead globally,’ Mandaviya asserted, outlining government-backed infrastructure upgrades.
He dropped a bombshell: upcoming editions will morph into 15-day extravaganzas fusing sports, Fit India events, culture, and tourism—ditching the brief four-day model for immersive experiences.
Celebrating J&K’s renaissance, the minister noted the pivot from violence to victory on snow post-Article 370, with Khelo India centers buzzing with talent and teamwork.
Echoing PM Modi’s ambitious targets—2036 Olympics and top-5 by 2047—Mandaviya spotlighted Khelo India’s expansive reach via specialized games, keeping athletes active year-round.
Key initiatives include a new National Centre of Excellence for winter disciplines and the revolutionary Khelo Bharat policy, centering youth dreams in India’s sports surge.