Gulmarg, Feb 22: Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday expressed confidence that India’s emerging winter sport athletes will deliver strong performances at the Gulmarg leg of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026, beginning Monday.
Stating that the growing depth of young talent reflects the success of the Khelo India mission, Mandaviya said the discipline and competitive intent shown by athletes across editions of the Games continue to strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem.
“What motivates continued investment in the Khelo India mission is the discipline, commitment and competitive intent shown by our young athletes who aspire to build long-term sporting careers. Each edition of the Games has revealed new talent capable of strengthening India’s presence on the global sports stage. The Winter Games are no different. After notable performances in the Leh–Ladakh leg, we expect Gulmarg to further showcase the growing maturity of India’s winter sports ecosystem,” he said.
The Gulmarg leg of KIWG 2026, being conducted in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, will run from February 23 to 26. Competitions will be held in four disciplines — Alpine skiing, Nordic (cross-country) skiing, snowboarding and ski mountaineering — across the Pir Panjal slopes and the snow-covered Gulmarg golf course.
Around 800 participants, including over 339 athletes, will compete over four days. The competitions will be telecast live on DD Sports.
Host Jammu and Kashmir will field the largest contingent with 78 athletes, including 20 women. Himachal Pradesh (53 athletes), Uttarakhand (42) and defending overall champions Indian Army (38) will also have sizeable teams. The Army enters the competition as the reigning overall champion.
The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council has planned a ceremonial inauguration on Monday, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha scheduled to attend.
Calling the Games a crucial platform for aspiring winter athletes, Olympian Arif Khan — India’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony of the Milano–Cortina Winter Olympics — described KIWG as a “significant opportunity” for young skiers.
“It is a significant opportunity for athletes aspiring to progress in winter sports. Gulmarg has consistently provided a competitive platform over the years. To compete regularly at the highest level, further infrastructure development will be essential. Encouragingly, there is strong governmental focus, and I am confident young skiers will leave a mark at KIWG 2026,” he said.
Among the athletes to watch is 17-year-old Jiah Aryan of Karnataka, an Alpine skiing medallist at the 2024 KIWG, who recently topped the Giant Slalom event at the Chinar Open on the Kangdoori slopes.
Arif Khan also pointed to three young skiers under his mentorship — Syed Zain and Faisal Lone from Jammu & Kashmir, and Sahil Thakur from Himachal Pradesh — saying their long-term potential is strong with sustained support.
At the end of the 2025 season, the Indian Army topped the team standings with 18 medals, followed by Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. After the Ladakh leg of KIWG 2026, Haryana currently leads the medal tally with four gold medals, followed by Ladakh, Maharashtra and Telangana.
