SRINAGAR — The famous winter resort of Gulmarg is all set to host the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG), with over 400 athletes from across the country expected to participate in the four-day event beginning Monday.
Officials said all arrangements have been put in place at the ski resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. The event will be flagged off by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Secretary of the J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gul, said the registration process has been completed.
“Participants from 30 states and Union Territories have registered, and around 400 athletes are participating in the games. There is good snow cover in Gulmarg, and we hope the weather supports us,” she said.
The first leg of the KIWG 2026, featuring ice events, was held in Leh, Ladakh, from January 20 to 26, while the second leg for snow events will take place in Gulmarg from February 23 to 26. All six editions of the Games have been hosted in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Gulmarg will host competitions in four medal disciplines Ski Mountaineering, Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing (Cross-Country) and Snowboarding with Alpine Skiing witnessing the highest participation, officials said.
At the conclusion of the Ladakh leg, Haryana led the medal tally with four gold medals, followed by Ladakh, Maharashtra and Telangana.
Meanwhile, Kashmir police chief V K Birdi earlier chaired a high-level security review meeting to assess preparedness for the event. Senior officers from police, the Army, Central Armed Police Forces, intelligence agencies and civil administration attended the meeting.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa, also conducted an inspection of competition venues and accommodation sites at Gulmarg, including the Gulmarg Golf Club on Saturday to review arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Games. — (PTI)