Khelo India Winter Games 2025 Concludes in Gulmarg; Army Defends Title

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The fifth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games concluded in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir, with the Indian Army defending their title as overall champions. The closing ceremony, held at the picturesque Gulmarg Golf Club on Wednesday, was graced by Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya

He made a major announcement regarding the future of winter sports in India. Dr. Mandaviya revealed the government's plans to transform Gulmarg into a Centre of Excellence for winter sports, providing world-class infrastructure and training facilities for athletes.

"Jammu & Kashmir is already leading in the upskilling of coaches, and we want to ensure that young talent receives the best training possible. Gulmarg will become India's sporting hub for winter sports, giving local athletes the opportunity to compete at national and international levels," he stated.

The Union Minister also emphasized the government's long-term vision, highlighting India's preparations for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. He mentioned that sports ministers from 28 states and eight Union Territories, alongside officials from National Sports Federations and renowned athletes, recently gathered in Hyderabad to create a 10-year roadmap for sports development in the country.

Indian Army Reigns Supreme at Khelo India Winter Games 2025

The Indian Army clinched the champions trophy with a total of 18 medals, including seven gold, five silver, and six bronze. Their dominance was evident in Nordic skiing events, where they secured multiple podium finishes. Himachal Pradesh put up a strong fight and finished as runners-up, also winning 18 medals (six gold, five silver, and seven bronze), while the Union Territory of Ladakh secured third place with seven medals (four gold, two silver, and one bronze).

Himachal Pradesh displayed great resilience on the final day, securing gold in the women's relay event in ski mountaineering. However, their hopes of topping the medal tally were dashed by the Army's consistent performances, especially in extreme weather conditions. The exposure trip to the Asian Winter Games in China played a key role in boosting the Army's confidence, as they were well-acclimatized to harsh conditions, including continuous snowfall, strong winds, and poor visibility.

The 2025 edition of the Khelo India Winter Games witnessed several standout individual performances. Multiple athletes bagged multiple medals, including Rajeshwar Singh (two gold, one silver in ski mountaineering), Kusum Rana (two gold, one bronze in women's Nordic skiing), and Sunny Singh (one gold, one silver, one bronze in men's Nordic skiing).

An interesting trend emerging from this edition is the success of states with no natural topography for winter sports. Maharashtra secured 13 medals, while Tamil Nadu bagged five, showcasing the effectiveness of the government's efforts to expand winter sports beyond traditional regions.

As the curtains fall on yet another successful edition of the Khelo India Winter Games, the announcement of Gulmarg's transformation into a winter sports hub marks a promising future for Indian athletes aiming for global recognition.