Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expresses delight at successful conduct of 5th Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg

GULMARG: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that he was delighted to see the 5th Edition of Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) in Gulmarg held successfully. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, who was the chief guest on the occasion, also addressed the concluding function of the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 held in Gulmarg. “Finally, the 5th Khelo India Winter Games were held smoothly,” he remarked at the outset of his address while addressing a large gathering of athletes, officials and guests.

 Reflecting on the challenges leading up to the event, the CM noted that persistent dry weather in January and February had raised concerns about whether the games would take place this year.  “Over the past four years, KIWG have been conducted with great enthusiasm. However, this year, we faced an unprecedented challenge as there was very little snow accumulation.”

He shared that a thorough assessment of the snow conditions was conducted by technical staff, leading to extensive discussions on whether the games should be held, postponed or cancelled. Eventually, he decided to postpone the event, hoping for snowfall. “Then, by the grace of the Almighty, we received enough snow, and the 5th Edition of KIWG was officially announced,” he said.

As an avid skier himself, the CM shared a personal anecdote, saying he had attempted to ski earlier that day but found it difficult due to the high water content in the snow. “If I found it challenging, I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for the athletes,” he said, appreciating their determination and resilience in overcoming the tough conditions to deliver commendable performances.

Reiterating Gulmarg’s status as the Winter Sports Capital of India, CM Omar Abdullah emphasized that the promotion and development of skiing in the country originated from Gulmarg. He then traced the evolution of Gulmarg’s sports infrastructure, mentioning the development of chairlifts and the Gondola Phase 2 project.

 “The initial infrastructure at Gulmarg dates back to the British era, but what we have today is still not sufficient to meet the growing demands of winter sports and tourism,” he stated. The CM underscored the need to upgrade Gulmarg’s sports facilities, citing examples of Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan, which have developed world-class skiing infrastructure that now attracts international skiers—including those who previously visited Gulmarg.

 “If we wish to position ourselves as a global winter sports destination, we must invest in infrastructure enhancement,” he stressed. Speaking about the recent inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, CM Omar Abdullah described it as a game-changer for tourism and sports in the region. “Sonmarg is now another glorious tourism and sports destination. We also plan to develop skiing facilities there,” he announced.

 Looking ahead, the CM envisioned using eco-friendly artificial snow technology to ensure that the Khelo India Winter Games can be held as early as December and January, thereby expanding the winter sports season. Referring to the assurance given by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to J&K Sports Minister Satish Sharma, CM Omar Abdullah expressed gratitude for any assistance the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports could provide.

He also emphasized that sports infrastructure should not be limited to mainstream games like cricket and football, which require spacious grounds.  “Emerging sports like Pickleball are attracting young players, and these require minimal space. We must diversify our sports infrastructure,” he suggested. The CM outlined his government’s commitment to developing sports infrastructure in every village, ensuring that youth have opportunities to engage in sports.

“Our youth are being diverted toward the wrong paths. We want them to be actively engaged in sports and make Jammu and Kashmir a sports hub—whether it’s for traditional sports, adventure sports, or winter sports,” he declared. He further revealed that during the presentation of the J&K Budget in the Assembly, he had allocated significant funds for sports development.

 “Over the next four and a half years, our government aims to bring a transformative change in the sports sector,” he affirmed. In conclusion, CM Omar Abdullah extended an invitation to Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, inviting him and his family to visit Gulmarg and other tourist destinations in J&K. He also thanked the athletes for their participation, acknowledging their dedication and commitment despite the short notice for the commencement of the 5th Khelo India Winter Games.

Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma, emphasized that hosting the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg was in line with PM Modi’s vision. “There is a need for improving infrastructure to give a seamless experience to the sportspersons and officials. Such events help locals earn livelihood.” MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah highlighted the economic potential of upgrading skiing infrastructure.

“Kashmir can be the Switzerland of Asia. Gulmarg has the potential to attract lakhs of tourists. However, this resort needs at least 10 chairlifts for the skiers. If we upgrade the skiing infrastructure in Gulmarg and Kongdoori, we can attract lakhs of skiers, and our country can earn huge foreign exchange.”

The event witnessed presence of Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to the Chief Minister; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Sarmad Hafiz, Commissioner of Youth Services & Sports; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Minga Sherpa, Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla; and Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council.