New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stated that Khelo India National Winter Games in Gulmarg will bolster the sporting culture in Jammu and Kashmir, and congratulated the athletes participating in the event.

Best wishes to all athletes taking part in the 3rd Khelo India National Winter Games. The Games are being held in the picturesque surroundings of Gulmarg. This will also boost the sporting culture in Jammu and Kashmir. https://t.co/X3NgVujugJ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 11, 2023

“Best wishes to all athletes taking part in the 3rd Khelo India National Winter Games. The Games are being held in the picturesque surroundings of Gulmarg,” he tweeted.

“This will also boost the sporting culture in Jammu and Kashmir,” the prime minister added. Earlier, Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur has said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is changing. He cited the exampled of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) which gets underway on Friday, February 10, 2023 in Gulmarg where 1500 participants from across the length and breadth of the country are participating.

“Khelo India Winter Games are being organised in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir. 11 games will be organised. 1500 players from 29 states and union territories of the country have come here. The situation is changing here,” Thakur was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Earlier, Thakur along with Manoj Sinha, the current Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, took part in the official launch of the mascot, anthem & jersey of the Games on Saturday (February 4).

The Khelo India Winter Games is backed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and is conducted by the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council as well as the Winter Games Association of Jammu & Kashmir. The 2023 edition of the Khelo India Winter Games are being held from February 10 to February 14 in Gulmarg.