Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Feb 13: The announcement of Union Sports Minister, Kiren Rijiju that the Union Territory of Ladakh will host the inaugural Khelo India Winter Games later this month, followed by a similar event in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir in March, will serve as a tonic for the young athletes of J&K, as the time is ripe for the talented budding sportspersons, who have already been inspired by ace Gymnast Bavleen’s extraordinary show in these games for two consecutive years, to blossom at the national scene.
According to the Sports Minister’s statement, the Ministry will fund both the Khelo India Winter Games-in Ladakh in the third week of February and in Jammu and Kashmir in the first week of March.
The Khelo India Ladakh Winter Games will feature an open ice hockey championship, figure skating and speed skating and the competition will be conducted at block, district and UT levels with an expected participation of about 1700 athletes.
The competitions of the Khelo India J&K Winter Games will be held at Kongdori, Gulmarg in four age categories for both boys and girls.
Athletes in the age categories of 19-21 years, 17-18 years, 15-16 years and 13-14 years can compete in alpine skiing, cross country skiing, snow boarding and snowshoeing. Around 841 athletes and officials are expected to participate in the Games being organised by J&K Sports Council and Winter Games Association of J&K, with 15 teams from different states and organisations.
Speaking about the decision to organise the Khelo India Winter Games, Rijiju said, “There is no better means than sport to channelise energy of youth in right direction.”
“We have included disciplines like Ice Hockey, Figure Skating, Speed Skating, that are part of Olympics, and with time we may also be able to produce champions in these disciplines in India.
“I am happy to announce the initiation of yet another Khelo India Games. This will be the third Khelo India Games in one year, and we plan to organise one for indigenous games as well,” Sports Minister added.
According to the experts, the competitions in various disciplines of sports under Prime Minister’s initiative Khelo India Games, has brought a sea change in the sports culture of Jammu and Kashmir as around 4 lakh athletes drawn from every nook and corner of the Union Territory took part in these games from last two seasons.
“We have made the data entries of all the participating players, their timings and their finer points to make a pool of talent we have identified,” said one of the organisers of these games held in J&K from last two seasons.
He said that these games are being held at Panchayat, Block, District and State Level, prior to the participation of meritorious athletes at the National Level.
“J&K’s ace gymnast Bavleen Kaur has the distinction of winning record 5 medals each in Khelo India Games at the National scene for two consecutive seasons. She has now become an inspiration rather a role model for budding sportspersons of the Union Territory. So, the other athletes must be waiting in the wings for showcasing their skill and vying for the top honours in such games. For that matter, Rijiju’s announcement is simply a delight for talented athletes of UT,” said a senior coach of Sports Authority of India.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Centre is keen to promote sports and games in J&K and is leaving no stone unturned in raising sports infrastructural facilities. So, hosting mega events like Khelo India Games in the Union Territory is not only a step forward in promoting sports, but also a best medium to promote tourism and bring peace and harmony in the Union Territory through the messengers of peace.
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