Two-time Olympian Arif Mohammad Khan has commended the Khelo India Winter Games and urged the Union sports ministry to enhance the infrastructure in Gulmarg for Indian athletes to excel in international winter sports competitions. Khan, an Alpine skier from Jammu & Kashmir, stressed the need for a fully developed facility in Gulmarg capable of hosting training and competitions for around five months, aiding in the preparation of Indian skiers for global events.
He also lauded the Khelo India Winter Games initiative, highlighting its significant role in laying a strong foundation for the growth of winter sports in India. Khan emphasized the importance of transitioning from providing a platform for athletes to focusing on winning medals at major global competitions.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, the 36-year-old athlete participated in the men’s slalom race, securing the 39th position and improving India’s previous best result by 10 places. Reflecting on his performance, Khan emphasized the impact of his giant slalom finish in placing India prominently on the global skiing landscape and stressed the necessity for increased investment in winter sports to achieve success at the continental level.
Since 2020, Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir has been the venue for all six editions of the Khelo India Winter Games, with Leh in Ladakh hosting the ice events since 2024. Khan welcomed the announcement by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya regarding the expansion of the 2027 edition of the Khelo India Winter Games into a 15-day event to elevate Gulmarg into a global winter sports hub.
Khan highlighted the importance of infrastructure, coaches, and funding for the development of winter sports in India, emphasizing the necessity for a fully-developed infrastructure in Gulmarg to operate effectively for at least five months. He also underscored the need for a national federation dedicated to addressing the requirements of winter sports athletes, expressing optimism about the future of winter sports in India.
