The Union Territory of Ladakh is set to host the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) from January 23 to 27. This marks the second year that UT Ladakh will host a segment of these prestigious games. Previously, all events were exclusively held in Jammu and Kashmir until 2024.

The Khelo India Winter Games began in 2020, with nearly 1,000 athletes, including 306 women, participating in the inaugural edition. Since then, the event has seen increasing participation, with over 1,350 athletes in 2021 and more than 1,500 in 2022, underscoring the Games’ growing popularity.

The 2024 edition witnessed over 1,200 participants, including 700-plus athletes, 141 support staff, 113 technical officials, and more than 250 volunteers. A total of 136 medals were contested, according to an official from KIWG. For the first time, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India, managed the technical aspects of the Games, working alongside the National Sports Federations and the Indian Olympic Association.

“We are looking forward to another exciting season of the Khelo India Games. The Winter Games are crucial for identifying India’s top athletes who can represent the nation at the 2026 Winter Olympics,” said Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.

He further added, “Our goal is to promote winter sports and inspire more athletes to pursue skiing and skating. It is encouraging to see participants from remote Himalayan villages actively taking part in these events.”

The Khelo India Winter Games aim to foster a strong winter sports ecosystem in India while offering a platform for athletes to showcase their talents on a national stage.