LG attends opening ceremony of 4th Khelo India Winter Games

Leh, Feb 02, 2024: The Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd) attended the opening ceremony of the 4^th edition of Khelo India Winter Games 2024 as the chief guest at the NDS Ice Hockey Stadium, Leh.

Welcoming the participants, their parents and officials to Ladakh, the HLG appreciated the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, for his personal intervention and interest in encouraging and promoting sportspersons of India which changed the face of Indian sports over the last one decade. Terming ice hockey an incredible and engaging sport, he expressed his happiness over watching an ice hockey match live for the first time in his life. He stated that ice hockey players display a combination of play, skating skills and speed/manoeuvring control and deserve all praise.

Stating that sports is being prioritised in Ladakh, the HLG informed about various initiatives being taken to develop infrastructure and provide equipment to the sportspersons from the region. He stated that the UT Administration is committed to developing and promoting high-altitude sports in Ladakh so that local players can participate in national and international tournaments and bring laurels to the country. He assured to provide all necessary training, facilities and equipment to the players to enable them to shine at national and international levels.

The HLG informed about the construction of the state-of-the-art ice hockey rink for organising round-the-year ice hockey events in Ladakh. Terming the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between UT Administration and Sports Authority of India (SAI) to develop the Khelo India Centre of Excellence in athletics, boxing and archery as important, he stated that the Centre of Excellence would help in providing the best facilities to the players and improve the standard of sports in Ladakh.

Deputy Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Shri Tsering Angchuk, thanked the Ministry of Youth Services and Sports, for giving Ladakh the opportunity to host the Khelo India Winter Games for the first time. Calling the Khelo India programme of the Government of India a perfect platform for players from all corners of the country to showcase their talent, he stated that it is due to this initiative that players are now bringing laurels to the country by shining in international tournaments. He also stated that Ladakhi players have also brought laurels to the nation despite limited resources and facilities. Shri Angchuk informed about various initiatives taken by LAHDC Leh to promote players from Ladakh in various disciplines.  

Advisor to the HLG, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IAS, read the message of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on the occasion.

Secretary, Youth Services and Sports, UT Ladakh, Shri Ravinder Kumar, IAS, informed that Ladakh is organising a sports event on such a big scale for the first time. He also informed about various initiatives taken by the Administration to develop and promote winter sports. He also appreciated various associations involved in organising the event and promoting winter sports in Ladakh.    

The MoU was signed and exchanged between UT Ladakh and SAI for the development of the Khelo India Excellence Centre in athletics, boxing and archery on the occasion. The Khelo India AV was also screened on the occasion. There were also dance and music performances on the occasion.

An exhibition match was played between UT Ladakh and the ITBP men’s team which ended in a 0-0 draw.  A short-track ice skating demonstration was given by girls on the occasion.