The ongoing Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg have not only attracted over 600 participants but have also witnessed the active involvement of six Olympians, infusing their expertise and zeal into the event while nurturing local talent and advocating for the staging of international sporting competitions at this picturesque destination.
Sheva Keshavan, a six-time Winter Olympian in Luge and chairman of the Indian Olympic Association Adhoc Committee for Ski & Snowboarding, emphasized Gulmarg’s potential to emerge as an international sports hub given its natural resources. He underscored the need for infrastructure development to support athletes and envisioned future medal triumphs for India, owing to the platform provided by the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG).
Arif Khan, a local sports icon and former Winter Olympian, shared similar sentiments, nurturing dreams of clinching Olympic gold while mentoring budding athletes. Khan stressed the importance of upgrading existing facilities and leveraging international expertise to host mega events in Gulmarg, advocating for the integration of cutting-edge technology to enhance infrastructure.
Nanak Chand Thakur, another Winter Olympian, echoed the call for encouraging participation from diverse regions in the KIWG and emphasized the need for certification and interventions to foster a conducive environment for sports development.
Chuni Lal Thakur, also an Olympian from Himachal Pradesh, lauded the transformative impact of the Khelo India Winter Games, highlighting its role in elevating winter sports in the country’s sporting landscape.
These Olympians, alongside their illustrious careers and experiences, echoed a shared vision of leveraging platforms like the KIWG to propel India’s presence onto the global sporting stage, inspiring generations to come and bringing laurels to the nation.
