Gulmarg to Host 15-Day Winter Sports Festival, Announces Sports Minister Mandaviya at KIWG 2026 Closing Ceremony

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Gulmarg, Feb 26: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday (February 26) announced that future editions of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) in Gulmarg will be expanded into a 15-day integrated winter sports festival, combining competition with tourism, fitness and cultural programming.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the second leg of the 6th KIWG at Gulmarg's Golf Course, the minister said the move is aimed at transforming the region into a global hub for winter sports.

"Gulmarg has immense potential and will become the global hub for winter sports in the coming times," Dr. Mandaviya said, underlining the Centre's long-term vision for Jammu & Kashmir as a premier destination for both athletes and tourists.

From Four-Day Event to 15-Day Festival

The minister revealed that the Winter Games will no longer be restricted to a short competition window. Instead, they will evolve into a multi-dimensional festival featuring:

• Competitive winter sports such as skiing and snow mountaineering
• A Fit India Carnival
• Cultural programmes and tourism-linked activities

The integrated format is designed to create a festive atmosphere while boosting the local economy and showcasing Gulmarg's natural and sporting potential on the global stage.

Drawing from his international travels, Dr. Mandaviya compared the Pir Panjal slopes to top European winter destinations, stating that the region possesses the landscape and infrastructure potential to become a world-class tourism and sports centre.

National Centre of Excellence for Winter Sports

In a major infrastructure push, the Union Minister also announced that a National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for winter sports will be established in Jammu & Kashmir. The facility will focus on high-performance training, coaching systems and long-term athlete development, strengthening India's winter sports pipeline.

He reiterated that the government's sports policies are athlete-centric, driven by the Khelo Bharat Niti, and aimed at creating opportunities for youth across the country.

Army Retain Title; Himachal, Haryana on Podium

Dr. Mandaviya presented the KIWG 2026 championship trophy to the Indian Army, who successfully defended their title with 23 medals (nine gold, six silver and eight bronze).

Himachal Pradesh finished runners-up with 14 medals (six gold, seven silver, one bronze), while Haryana secured third place.

The minister congratulated the Jammu & Kashmir administration, security forces and organisers for conducting a smooth event, noting that the Games reflected a broader shift in the region's narrative toward sport and youth development.

Over 900 Athletes Across Two Phases

The 6th Khelo India Winter Games were held in two phases - Ladakh (January 20-26) and Gulmarg, with more than 900 athletes from 25 states and Union Territories competing across six disciplines.

Dr. Mandaviya said the growing scale and participation in the Games demonstrate how sport is becoming a vehicle for social cohesion, economic growth and national integration.

Vision for J&K Through Sport

Emphasising the transformative role of sport in Jammu & Kashmir, the minister said the region is "writing a new chapter of progress and possibility," with youth now making headlines for sporting achievements rather than unrest. He linked the development of winter sports infrastructure to the broader vision of contributing to a Viksit Bharat by 2027.

With plans for a longer festival, a National Centre of Excellence and stronger integration of tourism and culture, Gulmarg is being positioned not just as a competition venue but as India's flagship winter sports destination.