Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday declared open 3rd Khelo India National Winter Games at the famous ski resort of Gulmarg in North Kashmir.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs Sports, IB, Anurag Thakur was also present during the opening ceremony held at snow bound Gulmarg.
Games will celebrate honour sporting excellence and witness the contests of skill and endurance of athletes, Lieutenant Governor said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a message and blessings to the players participating in 3rd Khelo India National Winter Games at Gulmarg will encourage inspire them. Under the leadership of PM, the sporting culture in JK UT is being transformed.
I invite all our guests, who have come from every corner of the country to enjoy our hospitality, to enjoy the games and to enjoy the incredible sights and sounds of Jammu Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor said.
He said, the entire country at the moment is united by the 3rd Winter Games dream. Each player participating will become the best ambassador of JK. With the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, this sporting spectacle will strengthen the bond of goodwill unite all the players as one family.
LG Manoj Sinha said Gulmarg is going to be the Centre of Excellence for the winter sports and efforts are on.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur said more than 1500 Players from 29 states and Union Territories have reached Gulmarg to participate in the 3rd Khelo India National Winter Games.
There would be eleven events of different games during the six day long games event, an official said.
He said during the six day event players would be chosen under Talent Hunt who will participate in other national and international events including Olympics, CommonWealth games and other games in future.
Thakur said, I believe that there is no place better than Gulmarg where winter games could be held. He also praised the Jammu and Kashmir government for making sufficient arrangements for the event.
He said there is huge potential for tourism in Kashmir especially at Gulmarg where the players who have come from other states are enjoying the atmosphere.
He said peace and tranquility is prevailing here paving way for more and more tourists to visit Kashmir.
(With UNI inputs)
