*Ladakh has emerged as India’s hub for winter sports: LG
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
LEH, Jan 20: The 6th Edition of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 was formally inaugurated today at the NDS Stadium Ice Hockey Rink in Leh, marking another significant milestone in Ladakh’s emergence as a premier winter sports destination.
The Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh, Kavindra Gupta, officially inaugurated the Games and extended his best wishes to all participating athletes. He encouraged them to perform with dedication and sportsmanship while enjoying the unique winter sporting experience that Ladakh offers.
On the occasion, the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of LAHDC Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, extended warm New Year greetings to all dignitaries, officials, athletes, and spectators present at the event. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, for bringing the prestigious Khelo India Winter Games to Ladakh.
Dr. Akhoon stated that hosting the Games in Ladakh is a testament to the region’s growing recognition as an international-level winter sports hub. He highlighted the deep-rooted popularity of ice hockey across Ladakh, noting the enthusiasm of young athletes in the sport. He further emphasized the need to strengthen winter sports infrastructure, particularly in remote areas like Zanskar, so that talented children from far-flung regions can also access training facilities and opportunities to showcase their skills.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Chief Secretary of UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, informed that three well-planned venues have been identified to ensure the smooth and efficient conduct of the Games. He added that the infrastructural initiatives undertaken for the event would leave a lasting legacy, ensuring sustainable and high-quality sports facilities for future sporting events in Ladakh.
Administrative Secretary (Youth Services & Sports), Moses Kunzang, delivered the welcome address, warmly greeting all dignitaries and athletes who have arrived in Leh to participate in the Games. He underscored the significance of the event in promoting sports culture in Ladakh and wished all participants a successful and memorable sporting experience.
As part of the opening ceremony, an exhibition ice hockey match was played between the UT Ladakh team and the Indian Army, which added excitement and energy to the inaugural proceedings.
A cultural program and a performance by the Ladakh Scout band were also presented during the ceremony.
Among those present on the occasion were first lady Bindu Gupta, DGP Ladakh Mukesh Singh, GOC 14 Corps Lt Gen Hitesh Bhalla, Deputy Commissioner Leh Romil Singh Donk; officials from Sports Authority of India, Joint Director, Youth Services and Sports, Tahir Hussain, officials from Ice Hockey Federation of India and Ice Hockey Association of Ladakh, along with other officials from Indian Army, YSS UT Ladakh and senior officials from UT Administration.
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Ice Hockey team, including Coach Sahil Gupta and players Shabir Ahmad Dar, Jasvinder Singh, Rahil Choudary, Parth Slathia, Dhruv Gupta, Jaipreet Singh and others, paid a courtesy visit to Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta at Lok Niwas, Leh. The Lt Governor lauded their discipline and encouraged peak performance in the Khelo India Winter Games.
In competition, Ladakh women trounced Telangana by 19-1, Army men defeated Himachal Pradesh by 5-1, ITBP men routed Rajasthan by 16-0, while ITBP women beat Rajasthan by 6-0, highlighting a strong start to the ice hockey events.
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