Ladakh Hosts Exciting Khelo India Winter Games 2026
In a thrilling celebration of winter sports, over 1,000 participants, including athletes, coaches, and technical officials, are set to partake in the Ladakh leg of the 2026 Khelo India Winter Games, which kicks off in Leh on Tuesday. The prestigious event will spotlight key venues including the Nawang Dorjan Stobdan (NDS) Stadium, the Army rink, and the frozen Gupukh’s Pond until the Games conclude on January 26. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, promising an engaging start to the festivities.
A total of 472 athletes will compete in two ice sports: skating and hockey. A notable new addition this year is figure skating, marking its debut as an Olympic event. In the previous Ladakh leg of KIWG, host participants excelled, securing four gold medals out of 13 total available. Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra rounded out the top three with impressive performances.
This edition of KIWG 2026 is managed by the Youth Services and Sports department of the Union Territory of Ladakh, under the guidance of the Sports Authority of India. The technical aspects of the competition will be handled by national sports federations specializing in ice sports.
KIWG 2026 adds to the Khelo India series, following the successful Khelo India Beach Games held in Diu earlier this month. Athletes and their teams will face the unique challenges of high-altitude conditions, including sub-zero temperatures and lower oxygen levels, making performance even more critical.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, remarked, “The year has begun with strong momentum for Indian sports, incorporating two Khelo India Games within the opening month. The Khelo India Winter Games introduce a vital platform for athletes to shine in winter sports, an area where competitive opportunities have been limited in India. Thanks to the Modi Government’s commitment, India now proudly hosts national-level, multi-sport Winter Games, solidifying winter sports as part of our domestic competitive landscape.”
While ice hockey remains the highlight of the KIWG in Ladakh, the inclusion of figure skating adds a fresh excitement. At the recent Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, India sent an impressive contingent of 59 athletes, making it the largest team ever for the event. Notably, Tara Prasad achieved the best figure skating finish for India, placing eighth in the overall standings.
“Although we did not secure medals in Harbin, we demonstrated our competitive spirit. This edition of Khelo India Winter Games marks a turning point by providing more opportunities for our athletes,” stated Mohammad Abbas Nordak, a senior national coach from Ladakh.
According to Dr. Mandaviya, the Khelo India initiative is set to broaden its reach with various formats, including the upcoming Khelo India Tribal Games next month. With a finalized competition calendar, the framework aims to enhance the domestic sporting ecosystem. This will create more chances for talented athletes to compete, progress, and achieve excellence.
Among the 21 participating states and Union Territories, Haryana (62), Himachal Pradesh (55), and hosts Ladakh (52) have the largest athlete representation. A total of 17 gold medals will be contested, with 15 allocated for ice skating events.
For more information on the Khelo India Winter Games, visit www.Winter.kheloindia.gov.in.
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