Union Sports Minister urges athletes as Khelo India Winter Games open in Leh

Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday urged athletes to make the most of the competitive exposure as the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 get underway in Leh from Tuesday, marking another step in India’s expanding winter sports ecosystem .

More than 1,000 participants , including athletes , coaches and technical officials , will take part in the Ladakh leg of the Games, which will continue till January 26 . Competitions will be held at the Nawang Dorjan Stobdan (NDS) Stadium , the Army rink and the frozen Gupukh’s Pond , with the opening ceremony scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

A total of 472 athletes will compete in two ice sports ice skating and ice hockey . Figure skating , an Olympic discipline , has been introduced to the KIWG programme for the first time, adding a significant new dimension to the event.

Hosts Union Territory of Ladakh will be aiming to replicate their strong performance from last year, when they finished at the top of the medal tally with four gold medals out of 13 on offer. Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra had finished second and third respectively in the previous edition.

The first leg of KIWG 2026 is being organised by the Youth Services and Sports Department of the UT of Ladakh under the supervision of the Sports Authority of India , with technical support from national sports federations governing ice sports .

Highlighting the importance of the event, Dr Mandaviya said the year had begun with strong momentum for Indian sport , with two Khelo India Games being conducted in January alone, including the recently concluded Khelo India Beach Games in Diu .

“The Khelo India Winter Games add another important dimension, creating avenues for athletes to compete and excel in winter sports , an area that has historically seen limited competitive exposure in India . It is only due to the Modi Government’s sustained and focused efforts that India today hosts a national-level, multi-sport Winter Games ,” the minister said.

Athletes in Leh will compete under challenging high-altitude conditions , including sub-zero temperatures and low oxygen levels , providing valuable experience in endurance and adaptability .

While ice hockey remains the marquee sport at the Ladakh leg of the Games, the inclusion of figure skating has been welcomed by athletes and coaches . India had sent its largest-ever contingent to the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China , last year, fielding 59 athletes , including 23 ice skaters . US-based Tara Prasad finished eighth overall , India’s best-ever result in figure skating at the Asian Winter Games , while Manjesh Tiwari placed 15th in the men’s category.

“In Harbin , we may not have won medals , but we showed that we can compete . More competition means more opportunities , and that’s why this edition of the Khelo India Winter Games is a milestone ,” said Mohammad Abbas Nordak , a senior national coach from Ladakh .

Dr Mandaviya also said the Khelo India calendar had now been institutionalised , with multiple formats planned in the coming months, beginning with the Khelo India Tribal Games next month.

“This fixed competition cycle will be a game changer , strengthening the domestic sporting ecosystem and providing multiple opportunities for deserving athletes to compete , progress and achieve excellence ,” he added.

Haryana (62 athletes) , Himachal Pradesh (55) and hosts Ladakh (52) have the largest contingents among the 21 states and Union Territories participating. A total of 17 gold medals will be on offer in the Ladakh leg , including 15 in ice skating .