Gulmarg, February 23 – Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha, on Monday, while inaugurating the sixth edition of Khelo India Winter Games here, said that these games have evolved from a simple sporting event into a true national festival.
L-G Sinha welcomed and conveyed his best wishes to all participating athletes and team officials.
"The Khelo India Winter Games revive the ideals of peace, equality, and camaraderie in sports. In our vibrant, diverse nation with myriad languages, cultures, and traditions, the Winter Games at Gulmarg serve as a universal language and shared heritage."
"The Winter Games at Gulmarg reflect the challenges of life, building resilience that propels future triumphs. Falling, analysing errors, and rising improved – these are the true lessons of sports, which skiers will experience here," L-G Sinha added.
He emphasised that the broader aim of Khelo India Winter Games is to strengthen national unity.
L-G Sinha said that this 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 that healthy competition and mutual respect coexist. Our people need this ethos now more than ever. As you race on these ski slopes, remember: diversity is our strength, not division. Khelo India reminds us that our languages 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," L-G Sinha added.
He said that the 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 Gulmarg ski slopes, an athlete's 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," L-G Sinha added.
L-G Sinha also spoke on the transformation in the sporting sector across Jammu and Kashmir over the past few years, under the leadership of Prime Minister 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 emphasised that modern infrastructure, coupled with the talent and dedication of Jammu and Kashmir's youth and the proactive support of dedicated officials, has provided a massive impetus to the sector.
L-G Sinha said that true character reveals itself not just in victory, but in adversity, and a real athlete remains humble in triumph and dignified in defeat.
"On February 26, at the closing ceremony of the sixth Khelo India Winter Games', success will not be measured by medals alone, but by the spirit of unity, mutual respect, and relentless pursuit of excellence," he added.
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 Union Territories in different disciplines.
Omar Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister; Satish Sharma, Minister for Youth Services & Sports; Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to Chief Minister; Farooq Ahmed Shah, Member of Legislative Assembly from Gulmarg; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Commissioner Secretary to the government, Youth Services and Sports; V.K Birdi, IGP Kashmir; Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Major General Puneet Doval, Commandant, High Altitude Warfare School; Minga Sherpa, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla; Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council; senior officials, representatives of Sports Authority of India and various sports organisations, prominent sports personalities and sports enthusiasts attended the inaugural ceremony.