Srinagar: The Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg are emerging as a catalyst for grassroots winter sports in Kashmir, drawing over 1,000 athletes from across the country along with scores of aspiring local youngsters who have arrived with their families to witness national-level competition firsthand.
Officials and trainers say the event is reshaping sporting ambitions in the Valley, with a noticeable rise in interest and enrollment in ski and snowboarding training programmes.
Thirteen-year-old Ayan Mir travelled from Tangmarg with his father, Riyaz Ahmad Mir, to watch the competitions. Clutching a pair of rented skis, Ayan said he had long dreamed of competing but had never seen elite skiers in action up close. “Watching them here makes it feel real. If they can reach this level, maybe one day I can too,” he said.
Eighteen-year-old Asiya Khan from Srinagar attended the Games with her father, who said bringing his daughter to Gulmarg was a deliberate decision. “Children need exposure. When they see athletes from different states competing here in our own Kashmir, it changes their thinking,” he said, adding that Asiya now wants to pursue winter sports seriously.
For many families, the Games have turned Gulmarg into more than just a tourist destination. Abdul Rashid Dar brought his 15-year-old son Faizan Dar from Baramulla to witness the event. “Earlier, skiing was seen as something for tourists. Now it feels like a career option. There is recognition, medals, and national attention,” he said.
Fourteen-year-old Mohammad Areeb, who recently enrolled in beginner ski lessons, said interacting with athletes from other states was the most inspiring part. His father, Mohammad Abas, said they spoke to a participant from Himachal Pradesh who explained the discipline required at the professional level. “It made us realise how much effort is needed,” Abas said.
Local athletes say competing in a national event in Gulmarg boosts their confidence. “We are showing that Kashmir has talent,” Abas said, adding that the Games have raised performance standards. “Now we can compare timings with players from across India. It pushes us to work harder.”
A local instructor said enrollment in ski courses has increased in recent years, with more parents willing to invest in equipment and coaching. “The mindset is changing. Children now see a pathway,” he said.
