Is Jammu and Kashmir headed for a drought this summer? With January and February 2025 receiving negligible precipitation, water bodies have dried up, and forest fires have been rampant. Not only this, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir had to postpone the Khelo India Winter Games due to insufficient snow in the Ski Resort Gulmarg. Watch in for more details!

Jammu & Kashmir: Khelo India winter games postponed due to insufficient snowfall

India's PM Modi visits Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Developmental projects inaugurated in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Boeing centre & Sukanya programme launched in Bengaluru. Watch to know more!

Indian PM Narendra Modi inaugurates developmental projects

Squash will make its debut at the Youth Games with the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 Tamil Nadu slated to be held in Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore – from January 19-31, 2024 and the state's Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Udhayanidhi Stalin chaired a meeting at the Secretariat on Monday to take stock of the final preparations for the games.

This is the first time that the Khelo India Youth Games are being held in South India and will be played across four cities.&nbsp;Squash will make its debut in the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 Tamil Nadu while state's traditional sport Silambam will be a demo sport. The meeting was attended by Dr. Atulya Misra, IAS., Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, J Meghanatha Reddy, IAS., Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and other senior officials of the department were also present.

With just 11 days left for the inauguration of the Games, the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) has pressed all its resources into action to ensure that the Games are an absolute success. All the stadiums are being refurbished and a new state-of-the-art blue athletics turf is being laid at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium to give the players and spectators a world-class experience during the Games, which will witness over 5500 athletes, under the age of 18, from 36 states and Union Territories vying for top honours.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sloane-stephens-ousted-in-hobart-jelena-ostapenko-beats-sorana-cirstea-in-adelaide-678139">Sloane Stephens ousted in Hobart, Jelena Ostapenko beats Sorana Cirstea in Adelaide</a>

The Tamil Nadu government has also planned various activities to spread the message and spirit of the Games across the state.&nbsp; Udhayanidhi on Saturday flagged off the specially designed Khelo India Youth Games Canter caravan from the Marina Beach Light House. The five specially designed Canters with the ceremonial torch (Thamizh) started from Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore on Monday and will visit all 38 districts before reaching the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium ahead of the opening ceremony.

“In the past, we had successfully conducted the 44th Chess Olympiad and our efforts were appreciated across the world. Similarly, we are making all arrangements to successfully conduct the Khelo India Youth Games as per the instructions of the Hon'ble Chief Minister,” Udhayanidi said. SDAT will also be holding various activities including mini marathons, bike rallies and drawing competitions at prominent locations and schools in these districts to create greater awareness around the Games.

Squash will make its debut at the Youth Games with the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 Tamil Nadu slated to be held in Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore – from January 19-31, 2024 and the state's Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Udhayanidhi Stalin chaired a meeting at the Secretariat on Monday to take stock of the final preparations for the games.

Squash will make its debut at the Youth Games with the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 Tamil Nadu slated to be held in Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore – from January 19-31, 2024 and the state's Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Udhayanidhi Stalin chaired a meeting at the Secretariat on Monday to take stock of the final preparations for the games. This is the first time that the Khelo India Youth Games are being held in South India and will be played across four cities. Squash will make its debut in the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 Tamil Nadu while state's traditional sport Silambam will be a demo sport. The meeting was attended by Dr. Atulya Misra, IAS., Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, J Meghanatha Reddy, IAS., Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and other senior officials of the department were also present. With just 11 days left for the inauguration of the Games, the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) has pressed all its resources into action to ensure that the Games are an absolute success. All the stadiums are being refurbished and a new state-of-the-art blue athletics turf is being laid at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium to give the players and spectators a world-class experience during the Games, which will witness over 5500 athletes, under the age of 18, from 36 states and Union Territories vying for top honours. Also read: Sloane Stephens ousted in Hobart, Jelena Ostapenko beats Sorana Cirstea in Adelaide The Tamil Nadu government has also planned various activities to spread the message and spirit of the Games across the state. Udhayanidhi on Saturday flagged off the specially designed Khelo India Youth Games Canter caravan from the Marina Beach Light House. The five specially designed Canters with the ceremonial torch (Thamizh) started from Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore on Monday and will visit all 38 districts before reaching the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium ahead of the opening ceremony. “In the past, we had successfully conducted the 44th Chess Olympiad and our efforts were appreciated across the world. Similarly, we are making all arrangements to successfully conduct the Khelo India Youth Games as per the instructions of the Hon'ble Chief Minister,” Udhayanidi said. SDAT will also be holding various activities including mini marathons, bike rallies and drawing competitions at prominent locations and schools in these districts to create greater awareness around the Games.

Squash to debut at Khelo India Youth Games, Udhayanidhi Stalin takes stock of final preparations

Jammu and Kashmir is hosting the third&nbsp;edition of the Khelo India Winter Games at the world-famous Ski resort Gulmarg. Over 1500 athletes from 29 states of India have arrived to participate in 11 sporting events. This is the second time Gulmarg is hosting the Khelo India winter games.&nbsp;

The Union Minister for Sports Anurag Thakur along with LG of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha kick-started the games today. The five-day event will be attended by hundreds of athletes of the country.&nbsp;

“I am glad we are able to organise the third edition of Khelo India. There are more than 1500 players who have come from 29 states to participate. I am sure we will see a lot of great talent who will be picked to play national and international tournaments. I am sure more and more youth will come to learn ski and winter sports activities. We need to build good infrastructure for sports,” said Anurag Thakur.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Are you ready for the Exhilarating &amp; Energetic Khelo India Winter Games 2022 to be held in Gulmarg from February 10th-14th. 
 
1500 athletes, 9 sporting disciplines and 1 champion!! 
 
I will watch these Games closely on Doordarshan, will you? <a href="https://t.co/qEst54zx3e">pic.twitter.com/qEst54zx3e</a>
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) <a href="https://twitter.com/ianuragthakur/status/1622072681058435074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

According to the government, the winter games are a platform for the youth of the country to compete and reach a level where they can represent the country. Holding the winter games in Kashmir not only provides an opportunity for athletes but also promotes tourism.&nbsp;

“If you look at mountaineering institute and ski institute, most of the instructors are from Kashmir. The students are from the rest of the country. This is what they are giving to the rest of the country. It will help create more job opportunities for the region. I have seen how numbers of tourists have increased and also the number of adventure sports people,” added the sports minister.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-hurriyat-leaders-shopping-complex-demolished-in-south-kashmir-558159">Read more:&nbsp;India: Hurriyat leader’s shopping complex demolished in South Kashmir</a>

This year the number of female athletes has increased at the Khelo India Winter games. Many female athletes are preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics and among them is 14-year-old Jiya Aryan, who has already won India its first International gold medal in under-16, Alpine skiing.&nbsp;

“I am really stoked and excited to participate here, and athletes of the winter sports are getting a lot of exposure. We are really getting the kind of exposure that is required and equivalent of summer sports in India. We need to be on the same track if we want to win a medal at Olympics. Gulmarg is a natural platform for us athletes. I can give it in writing that many women would be participating in Winter Olympics in 2026,” said Jiya Aryan.&nbsp;

The sports ministry is pushing for winter sports as it wants the country to produce more athletes that can unfurl the tricolour at winter Olympics. Holding the Khelo India Winter Games in Kashmir is providing the&nbsp;athletes with the platform.&nbsp;

“It’s my first time in Khelo India, I am a national gold medal winner, and it’s a proud moment for me to participate here. I am sure one day I will represent the country. Gulmarg is a natural platform. We are champions and we will win despite difficulties, “ said&nbsp; 
Anushka, an athlete from Haryana.&nbsp;

The Khelo India Winter games would culminate next week on February 14.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Jammu and Kashmir is hosting the third edition of the Khelo India Winter Games at the world-famous Ski resort Gulmarg. Over 1500 athletes from 29 states of India have arrived to participate in 11 sporting events.

Jammu and Kashmir is hosting the third edition of the Khelo India Winter Games at the world-famous Ski resort Gulmarg. Over 1500 athletes from 29 states of India have arrived to participate in 11 sporting events. This is the second time Gulmarg is hosting the Khelo India winter games. The Union Minister for Sports Anurag Thakur along with LG of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha kick-started the games today. The five-day event will be attended by hundreds of athletes of the country. “I am glad we are able to organise the third edition of Khelo India. There are more than 1500 players who have come from 29 states to participate. I am sure we will see a lot of great talent who will be picked to play national and international tournaments. I am sure more and more youth will come to learn ski and winter sports activities. We need to build good infrastructure for sports,” said Anurag Thakur. Are you ready for the Exhilarating & Energetic Khelo India Winter Games 2022 to be held in Gulmarg from February 10th-14th. 1500 athletes, 9 sporting disciplines and 1 champion!! I will watch these Games closely on Doordarshan, will you? pic.twitter.com/qEst54zx3e — Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) February 5, 2023 × According to the government, the winter games are a platform for the youth of the country to compete and reach a level where they can represent the country. Holding the winter games in Kashmir not only provides an opportunity for athletes but also promotes tourism. “If you look at mountaineering institute and ski institute, most of the instructors are from Kashmir. The students are from the rest of the country. This is what they are giving to the rest of the country. It will help create more job opportunities for the region. I have seen how numbers of tourists have increased and also the number of adventure sports people,” added the sports minister. Read more: India: Hurriyat leader’s shopping complex demolished in South Kashmir This year the number of female athletes has increased at the Khelo India Winter games. Many female athletes are preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics and among them is 14-year-old Jiya Aryan, who has already won India its first International gold medal in under-16, Alpine skiing. “I am really stoked and excited to participate here, and athletes of the winter sports are getting a lot of exposure. We are really getting the kind of exposure that is required and equivalent of summer sports in India. We need to be on the same track if we want to win a medal at Olympics. Gulmarg is a natural platform for us athletes. I can give it in writing that many women would be participating in Winter Olympics in 2026,” said Jiya Aryan. The sports ministry is pushing for winter sports as it wants the country to produce more athletes that can unfurl the tricolour at winter Olympics. Holding the Khelo India Winter Games in Kashmir is providing the athletes with the platform. “It’s my first time in Khelo India, I am a national gold medal winner, and it’s a proud moment for me to participate here. I am sure one day I will represent the country. Gulmarg is a natural platform. We are champions and we will win despite difficulties, “ said Anushka, an athlete from Haryana. The Khelo India Winter games would culminate next week on February 14. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Khelo India Winter Games begins in Kashmir with mass women participation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the opening ceremony of the first-ever Khelo India Games, which will be held from February 22 to March 1 at Bhubaneswar in Odisha.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Games tomorrow via video conferencing, said an official statement on Friday.

The Khelo India University Games are being launched by the Government of India in association with the Government of Odisha.

"The Khelo India Programme, a brainchild of the Prime Minister was introduced to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all sports played in the country and establish India as a great sporting nation," the statement said.

This is the largest ever competition held at the university level in India and will have about 3,500 athletes from over 150 universities across the country taking part in it.

There will be a total of 17 sports namely archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, rugby and kabaddi at the event.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the opening ceremony of the first-ever Khelo India Games, which will be held from February 22 to March 1 at Bhubaneswar in Odisha.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the opening ceremony of the first-ever Khelo India Games, which will be held from February 22 to March 1 at Bhubaneswar in Odisha. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Games tomorrow via video conferencing, said an official statement on Friday. The Khelo India University Games are being launched by the Government of India in association with the Government of Odisha. "The Khelo India Programme, a brainchild of the Prime Minister was introduced to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all sports played in the country and establish India as a great sporting nation," the statement said. This is the largest ever competition held at the university level in India and will have about 3,500 athletes from over 150 universities across the country taking part in it. There will be a total of 17 sports namely archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, rugby and kabaddi at the event.

PM Modi to address opening ceremony of first-ever Khelo India Games