Leh (Ladakh), Jan 20 (NationPress) The sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) commenced at the Nawang Dorjan Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh on Tuesday. Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya expressed that the organization of this event signals a national commitment to integrating winter sports into India’s competitive landscape with serious dedication and foresight.

The winter phase will feature various ice sports, including skating and hockey, concluding on January 26. This marks the third occasion that the Union Territory of Ladakh has hosted the KIWG. The snow segment of the KIWG is scheduled to take place in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir, later this year.

During an engaging opening ceremony, filled with traditional music and dance, an exhibition ice hockey match between Army XI and UT Ladakh was held, officially inaugurating the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 as declared by Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta. The Youth Services and Sports department of the Union Territory of Ladakh will manage the first leg of the KIWG 2026, with the Sports Authority of India overseeing the event. National sports promotional bodies will provide technical expertise for the execution of the Games.

In his message, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated Ladakh for showcasing its ability and confidence in hosting the KIWG and emphasized that India’s future in winter sports is emerging from the Himalayas. He remarked, “The way these Games have been organized signifies that winter sports are now a key component of India’s competitive sporting framework.”

Dr Mandaviya continued, “The Khelo India Winter Games 2026 are thoughtfully structured as a two-leg competition, featuring ice sports in Leh, followed by snow events in February in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir. This structure aims to develop depth and continuity in the competitive exposure of athletes, allowing them to adapt to various terrains and conditions aligned with international winter sport standards.”

LG Kavinder Gupta highlighted how Ladakh has been reaping benefits from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for sports promotion in India, stating that the Khelo India initiative has elevated youth empowerment and sporting excellence as national priorities.

A total of 1,060 participants, including 480 athletes, will compete in KIWG 2026 across three venues: the newly revamped NDS Stadium, Gupukh’s Pond, and the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre rink. Notably, figure skating, which is gaining traction in India, will make its debut at this event, showcasing some of the country’s top skaters.

Attendees at the opening ceremony included Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, senior officials from the UT administration, and representatives from the Sports Authority of India.

In alignment with PM Modi’s vision, LG Gupta noted that Ladakh is rapidly advancing in sports development, recently implementing its first-ever Sports Policy. This policy aims to identify talent at the school level, create an inclusive sports ecosystem for women and Divyang athletes, enhance the Ladakh Sports Council, and provide significant resources for aspiring athletes.