The first-ever Winter Games under ‘Khelo India’, a national programme for development of sports, will commence in Gulmarg from March 7 to11. Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said that it will be the largest ever and of the highest standard.

“We are organising the first-ever Winter Games in India andit will be held in Gumarg and will be the largest ever and of the highest standard. This is going to be a milestone because we talk about Summer Olympics, but we don’t talk about Winter Olympics in India, but it is equally important, interesting and popular. The entire Himalayan region is interestedin taking part. It will be a cornerstone in the sporting history of India.Apart from promoting sports, it will also transform the economy of the hillstates like Jammu & Kashmir because it will promote tourism,” he said.

In the mega national event, 830 players from across Indiawill participate in 30 events which include snow skiing, snow boarding,cross-country, snow show, snow cycling and other snow-based events.

The J&K government is making arrangements to providehassle-free facilities to players and other concerned. Efforts are on toprovide a facilitation centre, hospitality & protocol services,transportation, boarding and lodging, procurement of materials & equipment,technical requirements, press publicity, a cultural programme, food,maintenance of snow slopes, area domination, security, medical camps, event managementand other arrangements.

Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan onWednesday chaired a high-level meeting of officials to review all arrangementsput in place for the event. He directed officers concerned to set up round theclock control rooms at Srinagar, Tangmarg and Gulmarg in which officers fromPHE, PDD, Medical, Police, SDRF and the Magistrates concerned will be deployedto monitor all activities with backup plan till the culmination of the megasporting event.