GULMARG, JANUARY 27: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, today visited famous tourist destination Gulmarg and chaired a meeting at Golf Club here to review arrangements for the upcoming third edition of ‘Khelo India National Winter Games’. The third edition of ‘Khelo India National Winter Games’ is being held under Khelo-India Sports Initiative of Union Government from 10th to 14th February 2023. Addressing the officers during the meeting, Advisor maintained that the games will not only promote sports activities in Jammu and Kashmir but will also go a long way in attracting the tourists, both domestic and foreign. While reviewing arrangements for the event, Advisor Bhatnagar emphasized upon the district administration and concerned private agencies to put in place all arrangements well in advance for successful conduct of this mega sports carnival. He delved upon officers and different stakeholders to maintain close coordination and synergy for smooth conduct of the event. Advisor further said that the approach of the Government is to promote tourism at full scale and therefore we should utilise this opportunity for exploiting and boosting the tourism potential of our UT. While reviewing other aspects related to the event, Advisor exhorted upon the officers that all necessary arrangements like accommodation, lodging and other facilities for the players should be put in place well in advance to avoid any last minute rush. He directed the officers to establish a Joint Control Room manned by the senior officials for any kind of exigency during the event During the meeting, accommodation for participants, traffic management, identification of additional parking slots, snow clearance, security, transport facilities, media coverage, maintenance of slops, electricity, water, health care facilities and other related issues were also discussed in detail. The meeting was informed that both national and local sports persons and athletes are participating in the event. It was given out that this year around 2000 athletes from different parts of the country will converge on the snow-bound slopes of Gulmarg during the event to compete in different categories of sports. It was also highlighted during the meeting that the event will witness various cultural programmes to impart festive look to the event. The meeting was also informed that the notable sports activities, which will be the hallmark attractions of the 3rd Khelo India Winter Games’, will include Snow Shoe Race, Ice Skating, Ice Hockey, Skiing, Nordic Ski, Snowboarding, Ski Mountaineering and Ice Stock besides other activities.
