The Leh-leg of the KIWG 2026 was declared open by Lt Governor of UT Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, lauds PM Modi for his sports vision
Figure skating has been added to the ice skating programme for the first time
Around 1060, including athletes and coaches, will participate in the Games, the first leg of which concludes on Jan 26
Jammu & Kashmir, to build depth, continuity, and high-quality competitive exposure for athletes. This structure allows athletes to test themselves across varied terrains and conditions, closely aligned with international winter sport standards. Such sustained domestic competition is essential if India is to move beyond sporadic participation and steadily build credibility, consistency, and competitiveness in winter Olympic disciplines over the coming years.”
Lt Governor, Shri @KavinderGupta, today declared open the 6th #KheloIndiaWinterGames at the NDS #IceHockeyStadium, Leh. The opening ceremony highlighted Ladakh’s rising prominence as a hub of winter sports & served as a source of inspiration for athletes to strive for excellence, pic.twitter.com/B4NAbiurPp
— Office of the Lt. Governor, Ladakh (@lg_ladakh) January 20, 2026
In his speech, Shri Gupta expressed how Ladakh has benefitted from Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision on promotion of sports in India. “Under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India’s sporting culture has received a renewed impetus. Through the Khelo India initiative, youth empowerment, physical fitness, and sporting excellence have been elevated as national priorities.”
Shri Gupta added: “Hosting the Khelo India Winter Games continuously for the past three years is a matter of great pride for Ladakh. It reflects the nation’s confidence in Ladakh’s capability, commitment, and excellence in event management.”
One thousand and sixty participants, including 480 athletes, will take part in KIWG 2026 to be played across three venues – the new-look NDS Stadium, Gupukh’s Pond and the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre rink. Figure skating, an Olympic sport where Indians are showing international progress, is making its debut at these Games. Some of India’s best skaters will be taking part in this edition of KIWG.
Present in the opening ceremony were Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, the Hon’ble Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil, senior officials of the UT administration including chief secretary Shri Ashish Kundra, senior officials of the Sports Authority of India among others.
▪️Union Minister @mansukhmandviya congratulates Ladakh for showing capability to host #KheloIndia Winter Game
▪️The Leh-leg of the KIWG 2026 was declared open by Lt Governor of UT Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta
▪️The Ladakh phase of the winter Games, that will host ice sports like… pic.twitter.com/xSpRYmK2qq
— PIB India (@PIB_India) January 20, 2026
In keeping with PM Modi’s vision, Shri Gupta said Ladakh was also taking rapid strides in sports development. “Ladakh has recently been endowed with its first-ever Sports Policy. This policy focuses on talent identification at the school level; creating an inclusive sports ecosystem for women and Divyang athletes; strengthening the Ladakh Sports Council; providing four per cent reservation in government jobs for outstanding sportspersons; assured scholarships; cash awards of up to ₹100 crore; development of international-standard sports infrastructure; expansion of centres of excellence; advanced training programmes; incentives for coaches; integration of sports with education; and promotion of sports tourism. This policy will inspire the youth of Ladakh and provide them with pathways to pursue sports professionally.”
