Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates Khelo India Winter Games 2021

Khelo India Winter Games is the second edition of the youth winter games. Having been played initially in 2020, in Leh and Kondori, it is once again being held at the same venues. The primary objective of the tournament is to unearth grassroot-level talents for the international level.

The second edition of the Khelo India Winter Games was officially underway on Friday. It is being hosted in Leh (Ladakh) and Kongdori (Gulmarg).

Athletes from across 27 states and the union territories would be competing at the event, which would conclude on March 2. It would include sports like skiing, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, ice hockey, ice skating and many more.

The opening edition of the same was held last year at the same venue, as the competition focuses on unearthing grassroot-level talents for India, who can compete at the international level. Meanwhile, the inauguration of the same has been done by honourable Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. He stated that the government would focus on making Jammu and Kashmir a winter sports hub.

"This is a step towards making India's presence felt in the international winter games arena and also make Jammu and Kashmir a hub of winter sports. These games in Gulmarg show that Jammu and Kashmir is eager to reach new heights of peace and development. These Games will strengthen the resolve for 'Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat'. I am told the participation has doubled this year and it is a reflection of the inclination towards winter sports in the country," addressed Modi virtually, reports PTI.

"When you show your talent in Khelo India-Winter Games, remember that you are not just a part of a sport, but you are also the brand ambassador of a self-reliant India. The world evaluates India through what you do on the field. The two Khelo India centre of excellence in Jammu and Srinagar and Khelo India centres in 20 districts are great facilities for the young players. Such centres are being opened all over the world," Modi added.

Meanwhile, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, who was physically present during the inauguration, reemphasised that efforts are being made to ensure that India becomes a sporting powerhouse in the coming years. "Sports joins states and communities. When a woman from the north-east, Mary Kom, wins a medal, the entire country celebrates. Sports and culture are soft powers of a country," he said.

"Last time, we had announced 100 small Khelo India centres here. We have already approved 40 of them and the rest will be approved in the coming financial year. We have also decided to give Mata Vaishno Devi Sports Complex a Khelo India Academy accreditation," concluded Rijiju.