All preparations were completed on Monday for the commencement of the 6th Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) at the beautiful snow-covered ski destination of Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir. The opening ceremony will be conducted by J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, with 400 athletes representing 30 states and union territories taking part. Nuzhat Gul, Secretary of J&K Sports Council, mentioned that 400 participants from various regions have enrolled for the games, expressing optimism for a successful event due to favorable snow conditions in Gulmarg this year.
The four-day sporting event is scheduled from February 23 to 26, following the first leg of KIWG that took place in Leh town, Ladakh, from January 20 to 26. This edition of the games, focusing on snow sports, is being hosted in Gulmarg, continuing the tradition of all six KIWG editions being held in J&K and Ladakh. Gulmarg offers competitions in four medal disciplines, including ski mountaineering, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, and snowboarding, with alpine skiing showing the highest registration of participants.
During the previous KIWG in Ladakh-Leh in 2026, Haryana secured the top spot in the medal tally, clinching four gold medals through its figure and ice skaters, followed by Ladakh, Maharashtra, and Telangana. The official mascot of KIWG, ‘Sheen-E-She (Shan),’ symbolizes the Snow Leopard ‘Shan,’ embodying the essence of Indian winter sports – resilient, agile, and adaptable – bringing the legacy of the Himalayas to a national platform through the Khelo India Winter Games. Adequate arrangements have been put in place for the event, with senior civil administration and security officials overseeing the preparations meticulously.
Kashmir is gearing up to welcome the Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, on February 26, who will be the chief guest at the 21st convocation of Kashmir University scheduled for the same day.
