Gulmarg: In a major boost for winter sports in Jammu & Kashmir, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya announced the government’s plans to transform Gulmarg into a premier winter sports hub. The announcement was made at the closing ceremony of the 5th Khelo India Winter Games, held at the Gulmarg Golf Club. The event was also attended by Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and State Minister of Youth Services & Sports Satish Sharma, among other dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the government’s commitment to nurturing sports talent across India. He stated that efforts are underway to identify and train young athletes between the ages of 9 and 24 by establishing sports schools in every district. These schools will scout raw talent, which will then be trained at National Centres of Excellence to prepare them for national and international competitions. He also praised J&K’s coaching model, calling it one of the best in India, and urged other states to follow suit.
Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that the Indian government is committed to developing sports infrastructure across the country, with a special focus on Jammu & Kashmir. He assured that Gulmarg will receive world-class facilities to help local athletes excel in winter sports.
India’s Roadmap to the 2036 Olympics
Dr. Mandaviya also outlined India’s preparations to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. He revealed that he had met with sports ministers from 28 states and 8 Union Territories, along with senior members of National Sports Federations, to develop a 10-year roadmap for sports development. The goal, he said, is not just to set ambitious targets but to create a structured pathway to achieve them.
Calling Gulmarg one of the world’s most beautiful ski destinations, Dr. Mandaviya said that India must seize opportunities to promote it as an international sports and tourism destination.
Indian Army Defends Khelo India Winter Games Title
At the closing ceremony, Dr. Mandaviya awarded the championship trophy to the Indian Army, which retained its Winter Games title with 18 medals (7 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze). Himachal Pradesh finished as runners-up with 18 medals (6 gold, 5 silver, 7 bronze), while the Union Territory of Ladakh secured third place with 7 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze).
Despite a strong performance, Himachal Pradesh fell short of the top spot by just one gold medal. The state’s athletes gave a tough fight, especially in women’s ski mountaineering, where they won the relay gold medal.
The Indian Army’s dominance in the Nordic skiing events was credited to their exposure trip to the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, which gave their athletes valuable international experience. The Army’s High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg also played a key role in acclimatization and training under extreme weather conditions.
The Winter Games also saw remarkable performances from states with no natural winter sports topography. Maharashtra, with 13 medals, and Tamil Nadu, with 5 medals, proved that India’s winter sports talent is growing beyond traditional regions.
The Khelo India Winter Games 2025 concluded on a high note, setting the stage for Gulmarg’s transformation into a global winter sports hub.
