The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — A series of avalanches struck the scenic slopes of Gulmarg, bringing both tragedy and successful rescue efforts as authorities worked to ensure the safety of individuals amidst the winter sports activities.

In the aftermath of the avalanches, officials confirmed that all Khelo India athletes participating in the winter games were unharmed. Nuzhat Gul, Secretary of the Sports Council Jammu and Kashmir, reassured the public, stating, "All Khelo India athletes are safe after the avalanche hits Khilanmarg area of Gulmarg J&K. All the fixtures are being run as per schedule."

The avalanches, including one at the Khilanmarg on Afarwat Peak, resulted in the loss of life of a skier and the rescue of three others. However, the sporting events at Kangdoori Phase 1, where the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 are taking place, remained unaffected, with organizers ensuring necessary safety precautions.

Meanwhile, at a different location known as Army Ridge, a collaborative rescue operation involving the Gulmarg Ski Patrol, J&K Police, and district administration successfully rescued a group of six Russian skiers and one local guide. Tragically, one Russian skier lost his life in the incident, with condolences extended to his family and friends by officials.

The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical treatment, with one skier sustaining minor injuries but reported to be in stable condition.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Union Minister of State for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Nitish Pramanik said the Centre was making every effort to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a sporting state.

On the inaugural day of the Khelo India Khelo Winter Games 2024, Pramanik highlighted the government's dedication to providing extensive support and resources to nurture sporting excellence in the region.

“Every effort is being made to make Jammu and Kashmir a sporting nation. Sports and infrastructure development is being prioritised so that athletes get facilities to make a mark in their respective fields,” he said.

The union minister said the government’s efforts towards sports development in Jammu and Kashmir become evident with the Centre’s budgetary allocation for Jammu and Kashmir’s sports sector.

“We all witnessed how the development of Jammu and Kashmir took place after Article 370 abrogation. Jammu and Kashmir’s sports budget is much more than many bigger states of India. It shows how bright the future is going to be for Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre is taking various measures for the development of the union territory,” he told reporters as per the news agency KNO.

Pramanik said Kashmir is replacing Switzerland as a winter sports destination. “There was a time when athletes used to go to Switzerland for winter sports. Now, we have seen that athletes from Switzerland are coming here for winter sports. I saw even in this bone-chilling cold weather, people are coming for Khelo India event which shows the sporting spirit in India,” he said.

The minister outlined various initiatives and programs tailored to promote sports at all levels.

The fourth edition of Khelo India Winter Games festival started on Wednesday at Gulmarg. Athletes from different parts of the country took part in several winter games during the event including Snowboarding, Snow Mountaineering, Nordic Skiing, and Alpine Skiing.

The Khelo India Winter Games 2024 event is being organized by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, J&K Sports Council in collaboration with the Tourism Department, Gulmarg Development Authority and several other stakeholders.

The first part of Khelo India Winter Games Festival 2024 took place from 2 to 6 February in Leh, and it mainly included games like Ice Hockey & Ice Skating.

Speaking on the occasion, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that it is a momentous occasion for more than 600 athletes who have been preparing for this spectacular event.

He invited the athletes, team officials and sports enthusiasts to enjoy the warm hospitality of Jammu and Kashmir, enjoy the thrill of Alpine Ski, Nordic Ski, and Snow Mountaineering competitions and also enjoy the incredible sights and cuisine of the paradise on earth.

“The 4th Khelo India Winter Games, over the next four days, will honour the hard work, skills, dedication and sporting excellence on ski slope and I am confident it will renew the spirit of brotherhood, peace and harmony among all the teams,” the Lt Governor said.

At the inaugural ceremony, the Lt Governor highlighted the efforts of the government to promote robust sports culture in cities and villages of the Union Territory.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new era of sports has emerged in Jammu Kashmir. Renewed thrust on state-of-the-art infrastructure and allied facilities has given a huge impetus to the sports sector," the LG said.

"Our talented sportspersons have proved their mettle in national and international sports events. Their achievements are inspiring the budding athletes to bring laurels to the UT and the nation," he said.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The third edition of Khelo India Winter Games 2023 concluded on Tuesday while Jammu and Kashmir has topped the medal tally by bagging 76 medals including 26 Gold, 25 Silver and 25 Bronze.

According to the news agency KNO, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and Youth Affairs & Sports, Nisith Pramanik, who was the chief guest at the closing ceremony today, said that Khelo India 2023 concluded with great success and enthusiasm. “Nearly 2000 players across India participated.”

“This year Khelo India has made history by breaking all the previous records,” he said, adding that “many participants who took part in the games here in 2023 broke their own previous records by achieving new heights.”

“Next time, the government is planning to expand the venues for winter games in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said and congratulated the J&K Sports Council, Ministry of Sports, and J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for organizing the event successfully.

Commissioner of Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary of J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gull, and other officials from civil, army and police administration were present during the concluding ceremony of the event.

In the 2023 edition of the winter games, Jammu and Kashmir bagged a maximum number of medals including 26 Gold, 25 Silver, and 25 Bronze.

Maharashtra also bagged 13 Gold, 8 Silver, and 6 Bronze medals followed by Himachal Pradesh with 10 Gold, 14 Silver, and 7 Bronze, the officials said, adding that the army also won 10 Gold, 10 Silver, and 9 Bronze medals.

Likewise, Karnataka has bagged 5 Gold, 2 Silver, and 7 Bronze medals, Haryana got 8 Gold, 10 Silver, and 13 Bronze medals, Uttrakhand won 6 Gold, 6 Silver, and 4 Bronze medals and Delhi won 3 Gold, 3 Silver, and 6 Bronze medals. Similarly, Andhra Pradesh (old) remained unlucky to bag any medal while Andhra Pradesh (new) got just one Bronze.

Punjab got one Silver and two Bronze while Rajasthan got 6 Silver and 4 Bronze each. Pondicherry and ABVMI got one Bronze while ITBP got 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze medals. Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, and Lakshadweep could not bag either of the medals.

Earlier yesterday, the MoS had said that like Gulmarg, more J&K places are going to witness winter games from the next year.

Pertinently, Khelo India Winter Games 2023 featured over 1,500 athletes from across the nation, competing in 11 sports. Alpine skiing, curling, bobsleigh, skeleton, snowshoe, nordic skiing, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, ice skating, ice hockey and bandy were featured at the event.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

BARAMULLA — The 3rd edition of the Khelo India National Winter Games began at Gulmarg with a message by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the participating players.

The mega sports event was declared open in the presence of Lieutenant Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha and Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and I&B, Anurag Thakur.

During the biggest winter sports tournament, more than 1500 athletes from all over the country will compete in 11 different winter sports disciplines.

Union Sports Minister, Anurag Thakur lauded the J&K Government for developing sports facilities at grassroots level and achieving unprecedented progress in the sports sector in a short span of time.

"What Jammu and Kashmir has done in the world of sports in just three years is a matter of great pride. Indoor stadiums have been built in every district and every village has a playground. Where once there used to be incidents of stone pelting, today football, wushu and various sports are played there. This is the picture of new Jammu Kashmir," he added.

The Union Minister assured full support and cooperation in developing the Center of Excellence for Winter Games in the UT. "It is the vision of PM, Narendra Modi, to create sporting infrastructure across India. The setting up of a National Centre of Excellence in the valley will support the athletes of J&K," he said.

In his address, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said PM Narendra Modi’s message and blessings to the players participating in the 3rd Khelo India National Winter Games will encourage and inspire them.

Khelo India Winter Games will celebrate and honour sporting excellence and witness the contests of skill and endurance of athletes. "It is a great occasion to strive for the greatest victory, to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship, peace, equality, friendship and respect for the competitors. The spirit of oneness, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat will make us stronger," the Lt Governor said.

“The entire country at the moment is united by the 3rd Winter Games dream. Each player participating will become the best ambassador of J&K. With the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, this sporting spectacle will strengthen the bond of goodwill and unite all the players as one family,” the Lt Governor said.

On behalf of the people of J&K, the Lt Governor welcomed the players, officials and sports enthusiasts and invited all the guests, who have come from every corner of the country to enjoy J&K’s hospitality, to enjoy the games and to enjoy the incredible sights and sounds of Jammu Kashmir.

The Lt Governor also highlighted the transformation in J&K’s sporting culture under the leadership of the Prime Minister.

"In the past few years, J&K has given many sporting heroes to the country. Continuous efforts of the UT Government in developing world-class sports infrastructure and facilities in every nook and corner of UT, vibrant sports culture and sports budget at par with bigger states have added a new dimension to J&K's Sports sector," said the Lt Governor.

"The welfare of sportspersons is our priority. Special efforts are being made to ensure a dignified life for our sportspersons and to encourage youth to choose sports as a career. The participation of more than 50 lakh youth in various sporting events last year is a testimony to this commitment," he added.

"With the help of the Union Sports Ministry, we will work for establishing a Center of Excellence for Winter Games. The location has already been identified. All efforts are being made to provide opportunities for sportspersons to excel in their career," the Lt Governor noted.

On the occasion, Lt Governor and Union Sports Minister e-launched 40 Khelo India Centres across Jammu Kashmir. The Centres have been dedicated to all the budding sportspersons of J&K UT.

Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary, Youth Affairs & Sports J&K and Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council shared the achievements of the J&K UT in the national and international sports arena.

Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla, GOC, 15 Corps; representatives of various sports organizations, prominent sports personalities and sports lovers witnessed the inaugural ceremony.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse