Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to inaugurate Khelo India Winter Games 2025
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Synopsis
The Khelo India Winter Games 2025 commenced in Leh with Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurating the event. Nineteen teams will compete in ice hockey and skating over five days, leading to a second segment featuring snow games in Jammu & Kashmir.
Key Takeaways
- Khelo India Winter Games 2025 starts Thursday in Leh.
- Features ice hockey and ice skating events.
- Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will officially open the Games.
- A total of 594 participants are involved, including 428 athletes.
- Competitions will be live-streamed until January 27.
Leh (Ladakh), Jan 22 (NationPress) The Khelo India season kicks off with the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 on Thursday. Nineteen teams, comprising states, Union Territories, and institutional outfits, will compete over five days in two events – ice hockey and ice skating. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will be present at the opening ceremony held at the renowned Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Sports Complex in Leh on Thursday to officially declare the Games open.
This event marks the first segment of KIWG 2025. The second segment, which will feature snow sports such as skiing, is scheduled to take place in Jammu & Kashmir from February 22-25. Mandaviya will be accompanied by numerous dignitaries, including Brigadier Dr BD Mishra, the Lt Governor of UT Ladakh, along with senior officials from the Sports Authority of India and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.
A traditional opening ceremony in Ladhaki style has been organized to welcome 594 participants, with 428 of them being athletes. This will be the second occasion that Ladakh has hosted the Winter Games, which are now in their fifth edition.
Numerous young skaters will showcase their skills at the NDS and Gupuks Pond, the two venues designated for short and long-form skating competitions. Ice hockey matches will take place at the NDS and the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre. The events' technical management will be overseen by SAI with assistance from national sports federations. The KIWG opening ceremony will be broadcast live by Doordarshan Sports, and events will be streamed live daily until January 27.
In the previous KIWG 2024, Maharashtra secured 20 skating medals, including six gold. Karnataka also achieved six gold medals; however, their total of eight medals placed them in second position behind Maharashtra. The host state, Ladakh, earned two historic Khelo India gold medals in speed skating, finishing third with a total of 13 medals.
The ice hockey competition is highly competitive, featuring teams from the Army, ITBP, Himachal Pradesh, and UT-Ladakh. The Army, reigning champions in the men's category, and ITBP, the women's title holders, have dominated the national and Khelo India Winter Games championships.
All teams have arrived in Leh, situated at an altitude of 11,562 feet. Himachal Pradesh leads with the largest contingent of 78 athletes and support staff. Other competitors include Haryana (62), hosts Ladakh (52), and Maharashtra (48). Uttarakhand, which will host the National Games later this month, has the smallest team with just one athlete.
