More than 1,500 athletes from across the country are participating in 11 different sports events in the five-day ‘Khelo India’
Union Sports Minister lauds the J&K Government for developing sports facilities at grassroot level & achieving unprecedented progress in the sports sector in a short span of time
Where once there used to be incidents of stone pelting, today football, wushu and various sports are played there. This is the picture of new Jammu Kashmir: Shri Thakur
Union Sports Minister, Lt Governor e-launch 40 Khelo India Centres across Jammu Kashmir
SNS KASHMIR
10 February 2023, Gulmarg:
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur along with Lieutenant Governor, Jammu & Kashmir, Sh. Manoj Sinha declared open the 3rd edition of Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg today. More than 1500 Athletes from all over the country will compete in 11 different winter-sports disciplines in the five day mega sporting event.
The National Winter Games began at Gulmarg with the message by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the participating players.
During the inauguration ceremony, Shri Anurag Thakur lauded the J&K Government for developing sports facilities at grassroot level and achieving unprecedented progress in the sports sector in a short span of time.
Shri Thakur said, What Jammu and Kashmir has done in the world of sports in just three years is a matter of great pride. Indoor stadiums have been built in every district and every village has a playground. Where once there used to be incidents of stone pelting, today football, wushu and various sports are played there. This is the picture of new Jammu Kashmir, he added.
The Union Minister assured full support and cooperation in developing Center of Excellence for Winter Games in the UT.
It is the vision of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to create sporting infrastructure across India. The setting up of a National Centre of Excellence in the valley will support the athletes of J&K, he said.
The entire country waits to participate in Khelo India Winter Games. Khelo India is a campaign wherein youth games, university games and winter games are organised. Youth Games are going on in 9 cities of Madhya Pradesh. In the next two months, Khelo India University Games are going to be held in Uttar Pradesh, Union Minister said.
The Minister added that Khelo India Youth Games also gives an opportunity to hunt good talent. After which top players are picked up and given a chance at Khelo India-accredited academics. Their boarding and training expenses are borne by the Government of India.
In his address, Lt. Governor Shri Manoj Sinha said, PM Shri Narendra Modi’s message and blessings to the players participating in 3rd Khelo India National Winter Games will encourage and inspire them.
Khelo India Winter Games will celebrate and honour sporting excellence and witness the contests of skill and endurance of athletes. It is a great occasion to strive for the greatest victory, to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship, peace, equality, friendship and respect for the competitors. The spirit of oneness, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat will make us stronger, the Lt Governor said.
The entire country at the moment is united by the 3rd Winter Games dream. Each player participating will become the best ambassador of J&K. With the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, this sporting spectacle will strengthen the bond of goodwill & unite all the players as one family,” the Lt Governor said. Shri Sinha also highlighted the transformation in J&K’s sporting culture under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.
In the past few years, J&K has given many sporting heroes to the country. Continuous efforts of the UT Government in developing world-class sports infrastructure and facilities in every nook & corner of UT, vibrant sports culture & sports budget at par with bigger states have added a new dimension to J&K’s Sports sector, said the Lt Governor.
Welfare of sportspersons is our priority. Special efforts are being made to ensure dignified life for our sportspersons and to encourage youth to choose sports as a career. The participation of more than 50 lakh youth in various sporting events last year is a testimony to this commitment, he added.
With the help of Union Sports Ministry we will work for establishing Center of Excellence for Winter Games. The location has already been identified. All efforts are being made to provide opportunities to sportspersons to excel in their career, the Lt Governor noted.
On the occasion, Union Sports Minister and Lt. Governor e-launched 40 Khelo India Centres across Jammu Kashmir. The Centres have been dedicated to all the budding sportspersons of J&K UT.
At the onset of the inaugural ceremony, Shri Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary, Youth Affairs & Sports J&K and Ms. Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council shared the achievements of the J&K UT in national and international sports arena.
Sh Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla, GOC, 15 Corps; representatives of various sports organizations, prominent sports personalities and sports-lovers witnessed the inaugural ceremony.