Leh, Ladakh: The Khelo India Winter Games 2025 commenced today with great enthusiasm at the iconic NDS Stadium in Leh, Ladakh. This first phase of the event, hosted by the Union Territory of Ladakh, will run until January 27th, 2025. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will then host the snow games from February 22nd to 25th.
The 5000-capacity NDS stadium showcased the spirit of adventure sports on this freezing day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Ladakh and J&K for organizing the first major sports meet of the national calendar, highlighting their status as winter sports hotspots.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, who was scheduled to inaugurate the Games, could not land at Leh’s airport due to adverse weather. However, he delivered a message officially declaring the Games open.
The opening ceremony, attended by dignitaries including the Lt. Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier Dr. BD Mishra, featured team marches, a cultural display, and an exhibition ice-hockey match.
In his message, PM Modi reiterated the government’s commitment to sports development in the region, emphasizing the role of Khelo India Centres in nurturing sporting excellence.
Dr. Mandaviya, expressing his disappointment at missing the ceremony, highlighted India’s diverse sporting potential, emphasizing the opportunities for beach games in the South, adventure sports in the Northeast, and winter sports in the Himalayas.
He expressed confidence in India’s future sporting success, citing the country’s recent achievements in chess, cricket, and the Olympics/Paralympics. He emphasized that the Khelo India Winter Games are crucial in preparing future Winter Olympic stars.
The KIWG 2025 sporting events began with ice hockey matches.
Nineteen teams, including states, UTs, and institutional outfits, are competing. A total of 594 participants, including 428 athletes, are involved in the Ladakh leg of the Games. This is the second time Ladakh has hosted the Winter Games.
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