Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur along with Lieutenant Governor, Jammu & Kashmir, Sh. Manoj Sinha today launched 3rd Khelo India Winter Games Mascot, Theme Song and Jersey at Raj Bhavan, Jammu.

During the launch, Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur said, Khelo India Winter Games is a part of Khelo India Abhiyan, a thought of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi to encourage youth towards games and make India an emerging soft sports power on the global stage.

Sh. Thakur also said, from last eight years, the mindset of the families in the country related to the youth’s participation in games has changed considerably which has been possible through Khelo India Abhiyan, Fit India Campaign launched by Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi.

Under PM Sh. Narendra Modi, not only the sports infrastructure has been refined in India but is encouraging youth towards games especially through his timely interactions with the players before participation in big events at international level or after making India proud on the global stage which has never been done earlier.

Speaking on the Khelo India Winter Games, Sh. Thakur said, more than 1500 players coming from twenty nine states and UTs participating in Khelo India Winter Games not only encourage J&K youth towards games but will promote tourism in J&K. The players and officials enchanted by the beauty of Kashmir and the changes that have been brought about in J&K from last many years, will become brand ambassadors promoting J&K tourism, peace and tranquility, he added.

Congratulating Lieutenant Governor, J&K, Sh. Manoj Sinha on the launch of Khelo India Winter Games Mascot, Theme Song and Jersey today, Sh. Thakur said, the launch of Khelo India Winter Games sends a message across the country that J&K is waiting for them to watch these games, providing an unforgettable thrill and experience. Sh. Thakur also said, through the launch of these games here, the youth can be prepared to participate in Olympic Games providing best facilities for them to prepare.

During the launch, Lieutenant Governor, J&K said that under PMDP, sports infrastructure has been refined in every nook and corner of J&K which is encouraging youth towards games. Sh. Sinha also said, every panchayat of J&K has sports facilities and target of engaging 50 lakh youth in sports activities has been surpassed. Through new sports policy, attractive career options will be provided to the sportspersons, he added.

The Winter Games are scheduled to be held from 10th to 14th this month at Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir. The Khelo India Winter Games is supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and is organized by the J&K Sports Council as well as the Winter Games Association, J&K.

More than 1500 players across the country will take part in the games that will take place in Gulmarg and will be played across 9 sports events. The 1st edition of the Khelo India Winter Games took place in 2020 and Jammu and Kashmir have come on top in both editions of the games so far.

AP/MA