Ladakh/Jammu & Kashmir — The Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG), one of India’s most anticipated sports events, is set to return in 2025 with Leh and Gulmarg as the host locations. The announcement highlights India’s growing commitment to promoting winter sports and identifying talent for international competitions, including the Winter Olympics.
The games will feature ice events in Leh from January 23–27, 2025, and snow events in Gulmarg from February 22–25, 2025. Events such as ice skating, ice hockey, skiing, and snowboarding are expected to attract participants and audiences nationwide.
A Growing Legacy
Since its inception in 2020, KIWG has seen exponential growth in participation. The games began with nearly 1,000 athletes and grew to over 1,500 participants by 2022. The 2024 edition featured 1,200 participants, including 700 athletes, alongside 250 volunteers and technical officials.
Statements of Support
Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized the event’s importance:
“The Winter Games are crucial for identifying talent for global competitions and promoting winter sports in remote Himalayan regions.”
Significance for Ladakh and J&K
Ladakh, which successfully hosted ice events in 2024, will once again showcase its capabilities. Gulmarg, a long-time favorite for snow events, will host skiing and snowboarding competitions. Both regions benefit from enhanced sports infrastructure as part of the government’s focus on regional development.
Why It Matters
The KIWG serves as a platform to:
- Promote winter sports such as skiing and ice hockey.
- Identify young talent from Himalayan regions for international competitions.
- Enhance regional infrastructure, boosting tourism and local engagement.
With the 2025 games marking a significant step toward India’s global sporting ambitions, expectations are high for thrilling performances and a celebration of athleticism in the snow-clad regions of Leh and Gulmarg.
Events at Ladakh & Gulmarg Winter Games
The Khelo India Winter Games for 2025 will likely feature a variety of events and venues in both Ladakh and Gulmarg, continuing the pattern of previous editions. The 2024 games introduced Leh as a host city alongside Gulmarg, and it is expected that Ladakh will continue hosting events such as ice hockey and speed skating at venues like the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Stadium, Gupuks Pond, and the Ladakh Scout Regimental Centre rink. Gulmarg traditionally hosts disciplines like alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, and ski mountaineering.
The games aim to promote winter sports in India and create a platform for athletes to compete at a national level while fostering tourism and environmental awareness in high-altitude regions like Ladakh. The mascot for these games is the snow leopard, symbolizing the region’s rich biodiversity.
Stay tuned for official announcements from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for the finalized event list and schedule. Let me know if you need updates or detailed information on specific events.
Tags: Khelo India Winter Games, Sports News, Ladakh, Gulmarg, Winter Sports, Government Initiatives
