Over 800 participants, including 339 athletes, to compete in 4 snow disciplines
Army eye title defence; J&K fields largest contingent
Mandaviya backs young talent; Arif Khan calls Games a ‘big opportunity’
Srinagar: The sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) will commence at the ski resort of Gulmarg on Monday, with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha set to formally inaugurate the four-day national winter sports event.
More than 800 participants, including over 339 athletes from 30 States and Union Territories, will compete in the Gulmarg leg of KIWG 2026, scheduled from February 23 to 26. The Games are being conducted in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council following the successful completion of the ice events in Leh earlier this year.
Competitions will be held across four disciplines Alpine skiing, Nordic (cross-country) skiing, snowboarding and ski mountaineering — on the snow-covered slopes of the Pir Panjal range and the famed Gulmarg golf course. Alpine skiing is expected to witness the highest participation. Organisers said snow conditions remain favourable and all logistical and technical arrangements have been finalised.
The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, expressed confidence in the depth of young talent set to compete. He said the discipline, commitment and competitive spirit displayed by emerging athletes continue to justify sustained investment under the Khelo India mission.
“Each edition reveals new talent capable of strengthening India’s presence on the global sports stage. Gulmarg will further showcase the growing maturity of India’s winter sports ecosystem,” he said.
Olympian Arif Khan described the Games as a “big opportunity” for young athletes aspiring to build long-term careers in winter sports. Emphasising the need for enhanced infrastructure and regular high-level exposure, he expressed confidence that promising skiers would make their mark at this edition.
Host Jammu and Kashmir will field the largest contingent with 78 athletes, including 20 women. Himachal Pradesh (53 athletes), Uttarakhand (42) and defending champions Indian Army (38) are also expected to put up strong performances. The Army enter the competition as overall defending champions, having topped the standings in the previous edition.
Among the athletes to watch is 17-year-old Jiah Aryan of Karnataka, a medallist in Alpine skiing at the 2024 Khelo India Winter Games, who recently delivered a strong performance at the Chinar Open on the Kangdoori slopes. Arif Khan also highlighted young skiers Syed Zain and Faisal Lone from Jammu and Kashmir, and Sahil Thakur from Himachal Pradesh as emerging talents with significant potential.
Security has been tightened across Gulmarg ahead of the Games. Senior officials from police, Army, Central Armed Police Forces and civil administration have reviewed arrangements, including athlete accommodation, transport, medical facilities and emergency response systems, to ensure smooth conduct of the event.
The ice leg of KIWG 2026, held in Leh from January 20 to 26, saw Haryana lead the medal tally with four gold medals, followed by Ladakh, Maharashtra and Telangana.
Tourism stakeholders expect the Winter Games to provide an additional boost to the local economy. With Gulmarg emerging as one of Kashmir’s most visited winter destinations in recent years, officials believe the national spotlight on KIWG will further consolidate the region’s position as a premier winter sports hub.
