Gulmarg, 23 February 2026: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha on Monday inaugurated the 6th edition of Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg.
The Lieutenant Governor welcomed and conveyed his best wishes to all participating athletes and team officials.
He said the Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg has evolved from a simple sporting event into a true national festival.
“Khelo India Winter Games revive the sporting spirit’s ideals of peace, equality, and camaraderie. In our vibrant, diverse nation of myriad languages, cultures, and traditions, the Winter Games at Gulmarg is serving as a universal language and shared heritage.
Winter Games at Gulmarg mirror life’s raw challenges, building the resilience that propels future triumphs. Falling, analyzing errors, rising improved—these are sports’ true lessons, ones Skiers will live here,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that the broader aim of Khelo India Winter Games is strengthening national unity
He said that the mega winter sports event is a celebration of our nation’s sporting legacy, its unity and the transformative power of sports that binds every citizen and athlete, igniting their drive and forging unbreakable character.
“Intense rivalry yields shared conversations and lasting friendships, proving healthy competition and mutual respect coexist. Our people need this ethos now more than ever. As you race these Ski slopes, remember: diversity is our strength, not division. Khelo India reminds us our language may differ, but our goals and values unite us.
When athletes from diverse states train together, compete fiercely, and cheer one another, barriers of language, culture, and region dissolve before the sporting spirit,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that winter games pit Skiers against nature itself, where excelling demands extraordinary prowess and over the coming days, we will witness that prowess, alongside technical mastery, the poise from years of practice, unyielding resolve, and superhuman endurance.
He urged the participating athletes to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship and encouraged them to give their best throughout the tournament.
“On these Ski slopes of Gulmarg, athletes’ identity hinges solely on performance; every result reflects your skills, discipline, and grit, crafting new champions.
In disciplines like alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and ski mountaineering, athletes’ rigorous training and unwavering dedication will shine through,” he further said.
The Lieutenant Governor also spoke on the transformation in the sporting sector across Jammu and Kashmir over the past few years, under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
He said that the establishment of state-of-the-art sports infrastructure under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) and 100 Khelo India Centres have redefined the sporting landscape. He emphasized that modern infrastructure, coupled with the talent and dedication of J&K’s youth and the proactive support of dedicated officials, has provided a massive impetus to the sector.
The Lieutenant Governor said the true character reveals itself not just in victory, but in adversity and a real athlete remains humble in triumph and dignified in defeat.
“On the 26th February, at the closing ceremony of 6th Khelo India Winter Games’ success won’t be measured by medals alone, but by the spirit of unity, mutual respect, and relentless pursuit of excellence,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The four-day Khelo India Winter Games at India’s premier winter sports destination will witness the participation of around 1,000 athletes and officials from various states and UTs in different disciplines.
Shri Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister; Shri Satish Sharma, Minister for Youth Services & Sports; Shri Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to Chief Minister; Shri Farooq Ahmed Shah, Member of Legislative Assembly from Gulmarg; Shri Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Youth Services and Sports; Shri V.K Birdi, IGP Kashmir; Shri Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Maj Gen Puneet Doval, Commandant, High Altitude Warfare School; Shri Minga Sherpa, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla; Ms Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council, senior officials, representatives of Sports Authority of India and various sports organizations, prominent sports personalities and sports enthusiasts in large numbers attended the inaugural ceremony.
