The Union minister for youth affairs and sports and information and broadcasting along with lieutenant governor of J&K Manoj Sinha inaugurated the third edition of Khelo India Winter Games in the ski resort of Gulmarg, around 50 km from Srinagar in northern Kashmir.
“What J&K has done in the world of sports in just three years is a matter of great pride. Indoor stadiums have been built in every district and every village has a playground. Where once there used to be incidents of stone pelting, today football, wushu and various sports are played there. This is the picture of new Jammu Kashmir,” said Thakur.
The Union minister assured full support and cooperation in developing a centre of excellence for winter games in J&K. “It is the vision of Shri Narendra Modi ji to create sporting infrastructure across India. The setting up of a National Centre of Excellence in the Valley will support the athletes of J&K,” he said.
The biggest winter sports tournament in the country attracts more than 1,500 athletes from across the country to compete in 11 winter-sports disciplines.
Thakur and Sinha e-launched 40 Khelo India centres across J&K.
“The entire country at the moment is united by the third Winter Games dream. Each player participating will become the best ambassador of J&K. With the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, this sporting spectacle will strengthen the bond of goodwill and unite all the players as one family,” said Sinha.The lieutenant governor said welfare of sportspersons is the priority of the administration and that special efforts are being made to ensure dignified life for sportspersons and to encourage youths to choose sports as a career. “Participation of more than 50 lakh youths in various sporting events last year is a testimony to this commitment,” said Sinha.
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