Creating a milestone, Kiren Rijiju inaugurates the first-ever Khelo India Winter Games at Jammu and Kashmir

News Bharati    07-Mar-2020 15:48:40 PM
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Gulmarg, February 07 : The first-ever Khelo India Winter Games starting from March 7th was inaugurated by the Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju at Jammu and Kashmir's Gulmarg today. The five-day tournament which will witness 830 players from across India participating in 30 different events will be concluded on March 11th.
 
Many local artists showcased their performances. Artists like Band Pather performed a cultural program comprising traditional folk dance and music at ski resort Gulmarg during the inaugural. A traditional folk dance called 'Dambali' was also performed adding colors to the Gulmarg draped in White.

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While addressing the gathering at Gulmarg, the Minister stated, "the event is a momentous occasion not only for J&K but also for the whole nation. Such type of sports shall be organized every year at Gulmarg." He added further, "a training academy shall be established on the standards of International level in which international coaches shall impart training to sportspersons". In April he will be visiting Kashmir to explore the possibilities of Water Sports for promoting sports tourism in the valley.
 
Stating the importance of Winter Games in India, he had said earlier, “We are organizing the first-ever Winter Games in India and it will be held in Gulmarg and will be the largest ever and of the highest standard. This is going to be a milestone because we talk about the Summer Olympics, but we don’t talk about the Winter Olympics in India, but it is equally important, interesting and popular.”
Speaking about why the event is organized in J&K, he had added, "the entire Himalayan region is interested in taking part. It will be a cornerstone in the sporting history of India. Apart from promoting sports, it will also transform the economy of the hill states like Jammu & Kashmir because it will promote tourism". In the mega national event, 30 events will include snow skiing, snowboarding, cross-country, snow show, snow cycling, and other snow-based events.
 
The J&K government has made arrangements to provide hassle-free facilities to players and others. There are also facilities provided such as hospitality & protocol services, transportation, boarding and lodging, procurement of materials & equipment, technical requirements, press publicity, a cultural program, food, maintenance of snow slopes, area domination, security, medical camps, event management, and other arrangements.
 
He yesterday participated in an interactive session with youth at National Integration Camp hosted by Government Physical Education College Gadoora, Ganderbal. The camp was hosted to motivate and guide the youth for their active participation in the promotion of unity, communal harmony, national integration, FIT India.