Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, met Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, in New Delhi on November 22 to discuss key initiatives aimed at strengthening Ladakh’s sports ecosystem and expanding opportunities for youth in the Union Territory.

During the meeting, the L-G submitted a memorandum detailing various demands and proposals. He highlighted Ladakh’s rising prominence as a winter sports destination, noting the successful conduct of the Ice Events of the 4th and 5th Khelo India Winter Games in 2024 and 2025. With the completion of the all-weather NDS Ice Hockey Rink, equipped with mechanical chilling facilities, Ladakh can now host ice sports throughout the year—an improvement over the earlier two-month winter window.

In this context, he proposed that the 6th Khelo India Winter Games (Ice Events) be allotted to Ladakh in January 2026, reaffirming the UT’s readiness to host major winter sports competitions.

Kavinder Gupta also requested early approval for establishing the High-Altitude National Centre of Excellence (HANCE) in Leh, emphasising Ladakh’s ideal conditions for high-altitude sports training. He informed the Minister that the Executive Director of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Regional Centre Chandigarh, had recently visited Leh and held detailed discussions with senior UT officials. The proposed centre, he said, would play a pivotal role in grooming national-level athletes and strengthening sports science support in the region.

He further reviewed the progress of ongoing projects, including the Gym/Fitness Centre at NDS Stadium, Leh, where sanctioned funds have been fully utilised. The L-G sought additional financial assistance to complete the remaining works and make the facility fully operational.

Expressing gratitude to the Ministry, Kavinder Gupta acknowledged the establishment of the Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) at Leh in Athletics, Boxing, and Archery. The centre, now functional at the newly inaugurated Open Stadium in Spituk, has already begun talent identification and development activities, drawing strong participation from local youth. He noted that the KISCE would play a vital role in nurturing Ladakh’s emerging sports talent.

The Union Sports Minister assured continued support to Ladakh in advancing sports and youth development initiatives.