Leh (Ladakh): The sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 commenced with grandeur on Tuesday at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Stadium in Leh. The colourful opening ceremony, marked by traditional music and folk dances, was formally inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, who praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary approach towards sports development in the country.
An exhibition ice hockey match between the Indian Army and a Ladakh team added excitement to the opening ceremony. Ladakh is hosting the ice sports segment of the Games, including ice hockey and ice skating, which will conclude on January 26. This marks the third occasion that the Union Territory of Ladakh is hosting the Khelo India Winter Games. The snow sports leg of KIWG 2026 will be held later this year in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir.
The first phase of KIWG 2026 is being organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, UT Ladakh, under the supervision of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), with technical support from the concerned national sports federations.
In his message, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, congratulated Ladakh for once again successfully hosting the Games. “I congratulate the Union Territory of Ladakh for confidently demonstrating its capability to host the Khelo India Winter Games and proving that the future of winter sports in India is taking shape in the Himalayas,” he said.
Dr. Mandaviya added that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ladakh has emerged as a symbol of what focused policy, strong infrastructure and local commitment can achieve. “The seamless organisation of these Games sends a clear message across the country that winter sports are now an integral part of India’s competitive sports ecosystem and will be pursued with seriousness, scale and a long-term vision,” he said.
Explaining the two-phase structure of KIWG 2026, the Union Minister said that while ice sports are being held in Leh, snow sports will follow in Gulmarg in February. “This format provides athletes with continuity and high-quality competitive exposure across diverse terrains and conditions, aligned with international winter sports standards. Such regular domestic competitions are essential for India to build credibility, consistency and competitiveness at the Winter Olympics level,” he noted.
Addressing the gathering, Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta highlighted how Ladakh has benefitted from Prime Minister Modi’s sports-centric vision. “The Khelo India initiative has infused new energy into India’s sporting culture by placing youth empowerment, physical fitness and sporting excellence at the centre of national priorities,” he said. He added that hosting the Games for the third consecutive year reflects the nation’s trust in Ladakh’s organisational capability and commitment.
The Khelo India Winter Games 2026 have attracted around 1,060 participants, including 480 athletes, along with coaches and officials. Competitions are being conducted at three venues — the renovated NDS Stadium, Gupuk Pond, and the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre Ice Rink.
Notably, figure skating, an Olympic discipline in which Indian athletes have been making steady progress, has been included for the first time in the Games’ programme, marking a significant milestone in the history of KIWG.
Senior dignitaries present at the opening ceremony included Dr. Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Kargil; Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra; senior officials of the UT administration, the Sports Authority of India, and other distinguished guests.
Highlighting the rapid progress of sports development in Ladakh, Gupta said the Union Territory has recently received its first-ever sports policy, aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision. The policy focuses on school-level talent identification, inclusive ecosystems for women and persons with disabilities, strengthening the Ladakh Sports Council, four per cent reservation in government jobs for outstanding athletes, assured scholarships, cash awards up to ₹100 crore, development of international-standard infrastructure, expansion of centres of excellence, advanced training programmes, incentives for coaches, integration of sports with education, and promotion of sports tourism.
“I am particularly pleased that figure skating has been included for the first time this year, which is a landmark achievement. There are also plans to include ice ball in future editions, further expanding the horizon of winter sports in India,” the Lt Governor said.
For more information on KIWG, visit: www.winter.kheloindia.gov.in
