New Delhi, March 10 (NationPress) Two-time Olympian Arif Mohammad Khan has lauded the Khelo India Winter Games while calling upon the Union sports ministry to establish world-class facilities on the slopes of Gulmarg. This development is essential for Indian athletes to adequately prepare for international winter sports competitions.

The Alpine skier, hailing from Jammu & Kashmir, stressed the necessity for at least one fully equipped facility in Gulmarg that can support training and competitions for an entire season, spanning approximately five months until the end of April. He believes that such infrastructure is crucial for enhancing the performance of Indian skiers on the global stage.

Arif expressed his appreciation for the Khelo India Winter Games initiative, noting that the six editions conducted so far have significantly contributed to the advancement of winter sports in India.

He remarked, “The six iterations of the Khelo India Winter Games have offered an extraordinary platform for athletes, but we must now explore strategies to secure medals in major international competitions.”

The 36-year-old made headlines at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, where he participated in the men’s slalom event and secured the 39th position, surpassing India’s previous best result by 10 places—a record set by Kishore Ratna Rai in the 1988 Winter Olympics.

In reflecting on his achievements, Arif noted that his performance in the giant slalom has positioned India prominently on the global skiing map and emphasized the importance of additional investment in winter sports to excel at the continental level.

Since 2020, Gulmarg has successfully hosted all six editions of the Khelo India Winter Games, while Leh in Ladakh has taken charge of the ice events since 2024.

Arif welcomed the announcement from Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya regarding the expansion of the 2027 edition of the Khelo India Winter Games into a 15-day event, aimed at transforming Gulmarg into a premier global winter sports destination.

“We possess the athletes, some of whom have the potential to outperform me. However, we lack the necessary infrastructure, coaching, and funding. Given the government’s commitment to enhancing winter sports, I foresee a brighter future. We urgently need at least one fully-developed facility in Gulmarg that can operate for five months,” Arif stated.

He also highlighted the need for a national federation dedicated to addressing the needs of winter sports athletes.

“The government is taking significant steps through its policies to streamline governance in sports organizations. Winter sports like skiing require immediate government intervention and support,” he added.

Currently, Arif is mentoring three young skiers—two from Jammu & Kashmir and one from Himachal Pradesh—and believes there is immense untapped potential among athletes from India’s hill states and Union Territories.

“Numerous talented athletes are emerging from the hilly regions and Union Territories. Some skiers are also coming from South India, but the lack of year-round facilities remains a major obstacle. At least, skating has all-weather facilities in Dehradun and Leh, and making Gulmarg a priority is crucial,” Arif concluded.