The second phase of the four-day 5th Khelo India Winter Games at the picturesque Gulmarg in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district concluded this afternoon. The four-day games commenced on March 9, with hundreds of athletes from across the country participating in various events. In addition, athletes from the security forces also took part in the games.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 at Gulmarg this afternoon, Union Minister of Youth Services & Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, said the Centre is committed to taking the country’s sports journey to its zenith. He stated that India has prepared a Sports Development Roadmap for the entire country and is working hard to host the International Olympic Games in 2036.
Earlier, while speaking to the media, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his happiness over the successful conduct of the 5th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg. The first leg of the games was successfully held in Ladakh from January 23 to 27 this year.
The fifth edition of KIWG also witnessed some remarkable individual performances, with several athletes securing multiple medals. Indian Army’s Rajeshwar Singh (2 gold, 1 silver in ski mountaineering), ITBP’s Kusum Rana (2 gold, 1 bronze in women’s Nordic skiing), and Siddharth Gadekar of Maharashtra (1 gold, 1 silver in ski mountaineering), among others.
Rajeshwar, who has been training for ski mountaineering for the last three years, expressed his joy in clinching three medals.
“It feels good to win medals for my team. The Army has been very supportive towards me. I came into skiing because of the Army. Khelo India has given players like me a good platform to test ourselves. I want to represent India in international competitions,” Rajeshwar Singh told Sportstar.
“Being stationed here, it is an advantage to have the local knowledge, acclimatisation to extreme weather conditions that has helped me,” added Rajeshwar, who is posted at the High-Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Gulmarg.