SRINAGAR– The Khelo India Winter Games 2024 kicked off on Friday at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Stadium in Leh, Ladakh.
Fifteen states and two public institutions are taking part in ice hockey and ice-skating events over five days in the region, which is hosting its first Winter Games. Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, B.D. Mishra was the chief guest on the occasion.
The second part of the Winter Games will be held in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir from February 21-25.
On this special day for Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a special message for the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 organisers.
“We just witnessed the conclusion of the highly successful Khelo India Youth Games in Tamil Nadu. From the southern to the northern tip, the journey and spirit of Khelo India continues unabated. The Khelo India Winter Games epitomizes this spirit further, aiming to nurture champions and positions the regions of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, as premier winter sports destinations, globally,” said PM Modi.
A motley turnout at the NDS Stadium witnessed traditional folk dances and were treated to some foot-tapping music by the popular local band, Dashugs. An exhibition ice-hockey match between Ladakh and Indo-Tibetan Border Police set the ball rolling. The match ended 0-0.
A thrilling 500 metre short-track ice skating by a team of girls from across India was an additional treat.
The first medals of the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 were also decided on Day 1. Eklavya Jagal of Uttar Pradesh won the gold in the Under-17 short track (300m) skating for boys. He clocked 31.81 seconds. Aarav Patwardhan (32.03) and Advay Kothari (32.60) finished in that order. Both represented Maharashtra.
In the boys 17-plus short track skating, Karnataka’s Akash Aradhya (32.81) won the gold medal. Maharashtra’s Sujoy Tapkir (33.33) and Sumit Tapkir (34.33 sec) ended second and third.
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