Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister Youth Affairs and Sports, GoI in presence of Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, R K Mathur inaugurated the opening ceremony of first Khelo India Ladakh Winter Games, Archery Competition, 2021 at NDS, Stadium, Leh on January 22. 

The event was being organised by the Department of Youth Services & Sports in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, GOI.

Kiren Rijiju said that it is the priority focus of Prime Minister Modi to develop border areas. “With this objective, under Khelo India, the Sports Ministry in coordination with UT Administration has initiated works on various projects to develop sport and adventure activities and infrastructure in Ladakh,” said Rijiju. 

He added that special attention shall be given to develop and promote traditional Ladakhi sports like Archery, Ice-hockey, Polo as well as other modern games.

The Minister assured that sports centres will be created in the main regions of Ladakh. Also, sports equipment and other facilities will be provided at school-level to boost the talents of budding Ladakhi sportspersons. He wished good luck for the success of the Ladakh Winter Games, 2021 and expressed hope to see players from Ladakh representing India at the national level and in Olympics.

Secretary Sports, Ravinder Kumar said, “The Sports Ministry on the request of UT Administration of Ladakh has included the game of Archery in Ladakh Khelo India this year to provide a platform to the local archers.”

This year’s archery competition will be played in 31 blocks of Ladakh including 16 blocks in Leh and 15 blocks in Kargil districts, in the open category for both men and women followed by district and UT level matches in the coming months. The objective of the archery competition is to explore talented archers who can represent UT Ladakh at the national level. Ice Hockey matches are also being played under Khelo India Ladakh Winter Games and the final UT level matches will be played in coming days.      

Secretary Information Padma Angmo; Preet Pal Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests, Ladakh; Additional/ Secretary Sports Ravinder Kumar; DC Leh Sachin Kumar, District Officers and participating archers were present on the occasion.