UT Ladakh to host Khelo India Winter Games in January

Leh, December 11, 2024: The Khelo India Winter Games dates have been announced. The Union Territory of Ladakh will host ice sports including Ice Hockey & Ice-Skating events from January 23 to 27, 2025.

This will be the second year that UT Ladakh will host a portion of the Khelo India Winter Games. Before the 2024 edition, J&K used to host all the events. However, UT Ladakh successfully hosted ice events like skating and hockey in February 2024 KIWG.

The Khelo India Winter Games started in 2020. Almost 1000 athletes, including 306 women, participated in the inaugural edition. The participation has increased over the years. More than 1350 athletes in 2021 and 1500-plus in 2022 highlighted the growing attraction of the Games in J&K.

The 2024 iteration of KIWG saw the participation of 1200-plus participants including more than 700 athletes, 141 support staff, 113 technical officials, 250-plus volunteer and sports-specific volunteers, and a total of 136 medals at stake as informed by an official of KIWG.

This (2024) was also the first time the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India along with the Sports Authority of India managed the technical conduct of the Games in association with the National Sports Federations and Indian Olympic Association.

“We are again looking ahead to an exciting season of Khelo India Games. The Winter Games will be important because India needs to find the best athletes to represent the country at the 2026 Winter Olympics,” said Hon’ble Union Sports Minister, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.

He added, “We endeavour to promote winter sports and encourage more athletes to take up skiing and skating. We have already seen many athletes from remote Himalayan villages participating in these Games which is very encouraging.”