Aqib Khan
Gulmarg, Feb 26 : Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing a change in perception, with sports and youth participation increasingly shaping the region’s identity.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg, the minister said national attention towards the Union Territory is now centred more on sporting events and development activities.
He said Jammu and Kashmir’s youth are actively participating in competitive sports and building careers in the sector. According to him, this engagement is contributing to confidence-building and broader socio-economic growth.
Mandaviya said Gulmarg has the potential to become a major winter sports destination due to its terrain and climate. He added that the Centre is working to strengthen infrastructure and promote regular sporting events to develop a sustained winter sports calendar.
The minister said initiatives like the Khelo India Winter Games are helping create a structured environment for athletes and encouraging grassroots-level participation. He noted that sports provide constructive avenues for young people and promote teamwork and discipline.
Referring to policy changes in recent years, Mandaviya said new opportunities have emerged in sectors such as sports and tourism, leading to wider participation and investment in the region.
He announced that future editions of the Winter Games will be extended to nearly two weeks, compared to the current four-day format. Additional activities, including a Fit India campaign component, will be integrated into the expanded schedule, he said.
Mandaviya said sustained focus on sports will help position Jammu and Kashmir as a regular host for national and international winter sporting events.
The Gulmarg leg of the Games concluded with participation from athletes across several states and Union Territories, competing in winter disciplines under the Khelo India programme.(KNS).
