New Delhi, February 12: The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, announced the official dates for the Gulmarg leg of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026, which will be held from February 23 to 26 in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. This will mark the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games.
KIWG 2026: Ladakh Leg Successfully Completed
The first leg of KIWG 2026, featuring ice sports competitions, was successfully held in Ladakh from January 20 to 26. The upcoming Gulmarg leg will focus on snow sports events. The Indian Army, which topped the medal standings last season, will defend its overall championship title in Jammu & Kashmir.
Sports Minister Calls It the “Perfect Time”
“The Gulmarg leg is coming at the back of the Winter Olympics and this is the perfect time to host the Khelo India Winter Games. We had a very successful first phase in Leh (Ladakh) and surely, we will see the same excitement in Jammu & Kashmir as athletes will once again battle with nature and challenging conditions,” said Dr Mansukh Mandaviya.
He added, “Every season of the Khelo India Winter Games has seen exciting performances and rising competition. In Leh, the addition of figure skating enhanced the competitive intensity, and in Gulmarg, we are expecting impressive performances on the Kongdoori slopes.”
KIWG Transforming India’s Winter Sports Ecosystem
Before the launch of the Khelo India Winter Games, winter sports in India had limited visibility and structured competition. Ice and snow sports were niche disciplines with minimal public engagement and international presence.
However, KIWG has transformed the ecosystem by providing a national competitive platform, significantly increasing athlete participation, performance standards, and public awareness. This initiative is helping build a strong talent pipeline for India’s winter sports future.
India Achieving Global Success in Winter Sports
Indian winter athletes are now achieving podium finishes internationally. Figure skater Tara Prasad has won medals in global competitions, while the Indian women’s ice hockey team secured a historic bronze medal at the 2025 IIHF Women’s Asia Cup, marking India’s first podium finish in international ice hockey.
These achievements reflect India’s growing strength in winter sports and highlight the importance of consistent domestic competitions like KIWG.
Strategic Timing After Winter Olympics Milano Cortina 2026
The Gulmarg leg follows the Winter Olympics Milano Cortina 2026, where India is represented by alpine skier Arif Khan and cross-country skier Stanzin Lundup. This ensures continued momentum, athlete motivation, and public engagement in winter sports development.
Snow Sports Disciplines and Athlete Participation
The Gulmarg leg will feature four major medal disciplines:
- Ski Mountaineering
- Alpine Skiing
- Nordic Skiing (Cross-Country)
- Snowboarding
Around 400 athletes are expected to compete, with Alpine Skiing attracting the highest participation.
Medal Standings and Championship Defense
At the conclusion of the KIWG 2025 season, the Indian Army topped the medal tally with 18 medals, followed by Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. In the KIWG 2026 Ladakh leg, Haryana currently leads the medal tally with four gold medals.
Official Information
Medal Tally: winter.kheloindia.gov.in/medal-tally
Official Website: winter.kheloindia.gov.in