Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday virtually inaugurated the second Khelo India Winter Games in the ski resort of Gulmarg in North Kashmir and said that it is the beginning to make the Valley the hub of winter games.
In this second Khelo India Winter Games tournament, players from 27 states and Union Territories are participating and this tournament will conclude on 2 March 2021.
“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,” PM Modi in a virtual address said on Friday while inaugurating these games.
The Prime Minister said that it is a big push for Jammu and Kashmir to reach new heights of peace and development and said that that it will also give strength for ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat’.
The Prime Minister said that sports is no longer just a hobby or “time pass” in the country. “In sports, we learn team spirit, look for new ways in defeats and learn to repeat victories. Sports shape the lives and lifestyle of players. It boosts self-confidence,” he stated.
The Prime Minister pointed out that under the new National Education Policy, sports have been given a lot of importance, and the government is opening sports universities in India. “We have to think about how we can take sports science and management to the school level. It will give our youth more opportunities and increase India’s participation in the sports economy,” PM Modi stated.
Addressing the young sportsperson participating in the games, the Prime Minister said, “When you show your talent at Khelo India National Winter Games, remember that you are not just a part of a sport, but you are also a brand ambassador of self-reliant India. The world evaluates India with the ground you work on.”
These winter games have been organised by the sports ministry and the Winter Games Association of Jammu and Kashmir and according to the officials 1,200 players are participating in various competitions in these games.
Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju was present at Gulmarg for the inauguration, and while speaking on the occasion he said that very soon India would be a sporting powerhouse.