KIWG-2026 culminates: Sports new path of progress in J&K: Union Sports Minister

Gulmarg, Feb 26: Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said that sports have become the new path for progress in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

In his address at the closing ceremony of the 6th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG)-2026 in Gulmarg, the Union minister said that J&K was moving away from security concerns to focus on sports and development.

“Newspapers that once carried headlines about security challenges are now highlighting sports and developmental activities,” he said.

He attributed the shift to the enhanced opportunities and increased public confidence emerging in the J&K UT “after the abrogation of Article 370”.

“J&K is contributing to the vision of a developed India through sports, tourism, and youth engagement,” he said.

Later talking to reporters, he said that sports play a crucial role in promoting unity and constructive engagement among youth.

“During my interaction with local athletes I could see a growing enthusiasm and professionalism among them,” he said.

The minister also announced that KIWG will be a 15-day event from the next year, aiming to leverage the sporting spectacle to boost tourism in the Kashmir Valley.

“The government is planning to transform the annual Games into a significant draw for both domestic and international visitors to Gulmarg,” he told reporters here.

Mandaviya said that convergence of sports and tourism witnessed during the latest edition saw a participation from over 500 athletes from across the country.

“People from all over the country came to watch the Winter Games. Tourism has also become a destination here,” Mandaviya said.

The Minister further said that the event would be scaled up considerably from the next year.

“In the 7th edition, we will expand the Khelo India Winter Games not only for a week but will do it for 15 days. We will also organize the Fit India Carnival here,” he said.

The Union minister said that cultural programmes would be integrated into the sporting calendar to enhance the experience for visitors.

“We will also organize different cultural programmes here,” he added.

He said the sixth edition witnessed a huge turnout of local residents who came to watch the competitions, adding to the festive atmosphere at the ski resort.

Union Minister Mandaviya said the region’s potential needed to be fully explored.

“I have travelled to 55 countries and also travelled to Switzerland in Europe. Today when I was on the highest slopes of Pir Panjal and watched with awe the white beauty all around, it was simply breath-taking,” he said.

Mandaviya felicitated the Indian Army team for defending the KIWG championship title.

Army won nine golds, six silvers and eight bronze while the runners-up Himachal Pradesh (14 medals including six golds, seven silvers and one bronze) and Haryana were also handed their trophies by the Union minister.

Dr Mandaviya reiterated that the Khelo Bharat Niti has been transforming the face of Indian sports. “Khelo Bharat Niti will fulfil the aspirations of the youth of India. Times have changed and there can be no politics in sports. Our policies are athlete centric and not built in favour of national federations,” he said.

He praised the J&K administration for successfully conducting the Gulmarg leg of KIWG 2026 and congratulated all stakeholders, especially the security forces, for enabling a seamless Games.

The first phase of KIWG 2026 were held in Ladakh from January 20-26. More than 900 athletes from 25 states and Union Territories took part in six different sports between Gulmarg and Leh.

“Times are changing in J&K and will have a massive role to meet PM Modi’s dream of a Viksit Bharat,” Dr Mandaviya added.

He said that a National Centre of Excellence for winter sports will also be established in Jammu & Kashmir.