Gulmarg recently hosted the second leg of the 6th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) transforming the serene landscape into a vibrant arena of athletic excellence.

Held from 23rd to 26th of February, 2026, the four-day extravaganza brought together around 1000 athletes and officials from across various States and Union Territories. Organised by the Winter Games Association of J&K with robust support of the J&K Sports Council and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the event featured the Alpine Skiing (which saw the highest participation), Nordic Skiing, Snowboarding and Ski Mountaineering. Interestingly J&K, and Ladakh continue to hold the distinction of being the exclusive hosts for every edition of the KIWG to date.

The games were officially inaugurated by the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha at Gulmarg’s premier sporting venue. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony the Lieutenant Governor said that the event has evolved from mere competition into a true national festival. The LG stated that the Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg do more than  showcase talent; they revive the sporting spirit and uphold the ideals of peace, equality and friendship”. He further emphasized that in a nation as diverse as India these games serve as a ‘universal language and shared heritage’.

In his address Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who himself is an avid skiing enthusiast reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment and emphasized that the administration’s consistent and sustained effort is focused on transforming Gulmarg into a world class international ski destination. The Chief Minister highlighted that this strategic vision would yield significant economic benefits, trickling down to all sectors with sports and tourism in Kashmir Valley.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by a host of dignitaries including J&K Minister for Youth Services and Sports, Satish Sharma and the Secretary of J&K Sports Council Nuzhat Gul. They were joined by senior officials, representatives from the Sports Authority of India, legendary sports personalities and a massive gathering of sports enthusiasts who braved the cold to cheer on the nation’s best winter athletes.

The Indian Army once again demonstrated its absolute supremacy on the snow, successfully defending its team championship title at the 2026 Khelo India Winter Games. This victory marks the Army’s third consecutive championship win, following their triumphs in 2024 and 2025.

The competition ended with the Indian Army firmly at the top with a total of 23 medals nine gold, six silver and eight bronze followed by a resurgent Himachal Pradesh with the total of 14 medals six gold, seven silver and one bronze.

The Army’s dominance was particularly evident during the second leg in Gulmarg, where they clinched eight of their nine gold medals. Their performance in the Nordic (cross-country) events was a masterclass in endurance. In the 15 kms Nordic Skiing Race, the Army achieved a clean sweep of the podium. Mohammad Ali took gold  followed by Padma Namgail winning the silver and Sunny Singh claiming the bronze medal.

The 2026 Games were defined by standout individual performances across the slopes of Kangdoori and the Gulmarg Golf Course. Army’s Mayank Panwar earned the title of “Slalom Man of the Games” after securing a pair of gold medals. Karnataka’s Veteran skier Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda who has remarkably competed in all six editions of the Khelo India Winter Games, maintained her elite status by winning the Nordic Women’s Sprint across 1.5kms. Zubair Ahmad Lone brought cheer to Jammu and Kashmir by winning the men’s giant slalom in the snowboarding competition clinching Jammu & Kashmir’s first gold medal of the edition narrowly defeating Army’s Vivek Rana. Along with Mayank Panwar, Preeti Thakur of Himachal Prades swept both the slalom and giant slalom snowboarding events, and Kajal Kumari Rai of CRPF also finished with two golds.

Jammu & Kashmir finished the games at the 10th spot with one gold one silver and two bronze medals.

The closing ceremony of the 6th Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) concluded with a visionary roadmap for the region, as Union and State leadership joined hands to elevate Jammu & Kashmir’s sporting profile. Addressing the gathering at the second leg’s conclusion, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, reaffirmed the Central Government’s commitment to establishing Gulmarg as a premier global destination. In a landmark announcement, Dr. Mandaviya revealed that future editions of the Winter Games will be transformed into a 15-day integrated sporting festival. This expanded format aims to integrate Tourism & Culture by Combining high-stakes athletic competitions with cultural showcases and tourism promotion. Incorporating the Fit India Carnival and multiple sporting disciplines to maximize youth participation.

While acknowledging Gulmarg’s growth, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also emphasized the urgent need for artificial snow generation in Gulmarg to safeguard the winter sports and strengthen tourism saying climate variability poses a serious challenge to winter games in the region.

While the expansion of the Winter Games is a welcome move for the economy, the transition to a global hub must be handled with ecological sensitivity. Developing world-class slopes is only one side of the coin; the other is safeguarding the fragile environment of the beautiful destination.

To ensure that Gulmarg remains a “Crown Jewel” of international sports, the government must prioritize a sustainable development roadmap, managing tourist carrying capacity. The region requires a total ban on single-use plastics and the consistent enforcement of anti-littering regulations.

Transitioning to electric transport within the meadow would significantly curb carbon emissions, preserving the air quality and pristine snow.

For Gulmarg to thrive as a world class winter sports destination we must strike a delicate balance between development and environmental sustainability. Safeguarding Gulmarg’s environment is not just an ecological duty, it is an economic mandate. As the primary driver for tourism and sports, this destination is a priceless asset. Protecting it through rigorous environmental regulations will ensure a resilient future for local employment and a thriving sports economy. We must preserve the beauty that brings the world to our doorstep.

G.Q. Kamran Educator at Govt Model Hr Sec School Zoohama

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