Army showcased a strong performance at the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg, securing three gold medals out of five on the first day. The CRPF and Himachal Pradesh teams also clinched gold medals in the competition. Notably, seasoned athletes like Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda and Aanchal Thakur faced tough competition from emerging skiers.
Young talent Jiah Aryan from Karnataka, aged 17, claimed a bronze in Alpine skiing, competing against experienced contenders like Aanchal and Sandhya Thakur. The day saw CRPF’s Kajal Kumari Rai triumph in the 15km Nordic skiing event, dedicating her win to her late father. Meanwhile, Army’s Sunny Singh secured the first gold in the men’s sprint event.
During the inauguration ceremony, Jammu & Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha, emphasized the significance of the Winter Games post the Winter Olympics. He highlighted the Games’ role in promoting national unity and creativity through sports. The Chief Minister of J&K, Shri Omar Abdullah, urged athletes to excel further and emphasized the need to develop Gulmarg into an international ski destination.
