L-G Manoj Sinha Inaugurates 6th Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg

February 23, 2026

Gulmarg: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday inaugurated the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games, saying that from a simple sporting event, the Games have evolved into a true national festival.

L-G Sinha welcomed and conveyed his best wishes to all participating athletes and team officials.

“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,” he said.

Sports Strengthen Unity and Character

The L-G emphasised that the broader aim of the Winter Games is strengthening national unity. He described the mega winter sports event as a celebration of India’s sporting legacy and the transformative power of sports.

He said intense rivalry builds friendships and mutual respect, adding that diversity is the country’s strength. When athletes from different states train and compete together, barriers of language, culture and region dissolve before the sporting spirit.

Testing Skill and Endurance on Snow Slopes

Highlighting the challenges of winter sports, L-G Sinha said the Games pit athletes against nature itself, where excelling demands extraordinary skill, discipline and endurance.

“In disciplines like alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, and ski mountaineering, athletes’ rigorous training and unwavering dedication will shine through,” he said.

He urged participants to uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship and reminded them that success is not measured only by medals but by unity and excellence.

Boost to Sports Infrastructure in J&K

The Lieutenant Governor also spoke about the transformation of the sporting sector in Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He said state-of-the-art infrastructure developed under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) and the establishment of 100 Khelo India Centres have redefined the sporting landscape in the Union Territory.

The four-day event at Gulmarg will see participation of around 1,000 athletes and officials from various states and Union Territories. Among those present at the inauguration were Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, senior ministers, officials, and representatives from sports bodies.