3rd Khelo India National Winter Games declared open
STATE TIMES NEWS
Gulmarg: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said sports can be a vehicle of transformation for society and unite the people of the country.
Sinha said the sports infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir is now at par with the top sporting states of the country.
“Sports can be a vehicle of transformation not only for an individual but for a society as well,” Sinha said while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the 3rd edition of Khelo India Winter Games here, 55 kilometres from Srinagar.
The 3rd edition of Khelo India National Winter Games began at Gulmarg with the message by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the participating players.
The mega sports event was declared open in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and I&B, Anurag Thakur.
The Lt Governor said hosting the Khelo India Winter Games was a proud moment for Jammu and Kashmir.
“These games have united the entire country as participants from 29 states and Union territories are here. I invite all our guests to enjoy our hospitality, and the scenes and sounds of Kashmir,” he said.
Sinha expressed hope that the 1,500 players from across the country participating in the games will go back as ambassadors of Kashmir.
“I wish the participants in these games will act as ambassadors for Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Sinha said the sports infrastructure has seen a significant improvement in J-K in the past few years.
“J-K’s sports budget is a mere Rs 38 crore less than a big state like Maharashtra. Our budget is more than states like Kerala,” he said and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking a keen interest in the development of sports infrastructure. Sinha said, PM Narendra Modi Ji’s message and blessings to the players participating in 3rd Khelo India National Winter Games will encourage and inspire them.
Khelo India Winter Games will celebrate and honour sporting excellence and witness the contests of skill and endurance of athletes. It is a great occasion to strive for the greatest victory, to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship, peace, equality, friendship and respect for the competitors. The spirit of oneness, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat will make us stronger, the Lt Governor said.
“The entire country at the moment is united by the 3rd Winter Games dream. Each player participating will become the best ambassador of J&K. With the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, this sporting spectacle will strengthen the bond of goodwill and unite all the players as one family,” the Lt Governor said.
On behalf of the people of J&K, the Lt Governor welcomed the players, officials and sports enthusiasts and invited all the guests, who have come from every corner of the country to enjoy J&K’s hospitality, to enjoy the games and to enjoy the incredible sights and sounds of Jammu Kashmir.
The Lt Governor also highlighted the transformation in J&K’s sporting culture under the leadership of Prime Minister.
In the past few years, J&K has given many sporting heroes to the country. Continuous efforts of the UT Government in developing world-class sports infrastructure and facilities in every nook and corner of UT, vibrant sports culture and sports budget at par with bigger states have added a new dimension to J&K’s Sports sector, said the Lt Governor.
Welfare of sportspersons is our priority. Special efforts are being made to ensure dignified life for our sportspersons and to encourage youth to choose sports as a career. The participation of more than 50 lakh youth in various sporting events last year is a testimony to this commitment, he added.
With the help of Union Sports Ministry we will work for establishing Center of Excellence for Winter Games. The location has already been identified. All efforts are being made to provide opportunities to sportspersons to excel in their career, the Lt Governor noted.
On the occasion, Lt Governor and Union Sports Minister e-launched 40 Khelo India Centres across Jammu Kashmir. The Centres have been dedicated to all the budding sportspersons of J&K UT.
Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary, Youth Affairs & Sports J&K and Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council shared the achievements of the J&K UT in national and international sports arena.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Lt Gen Amardeep Singh Aujla, GOC, 15 Corps; representatives of various sports organizations, prominent sports personalities and sports-lovers witnessed the inaugural ceremony.