Khelo India Winter Games: Over 900 Athletes Arrive In Kashmir Valley’s Gulmarg Beating COVID-19 Scare

In a major boost for the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), as many as 992 athletes and sports officials from over 20 States of the nation have reached the snow-filled Gulmarg to partake in the first-ever Khelo India Winter Games being held in the Kashmir Valley, reports The Hindu.

The development gains significance as this marks the conduction of the first such major event in the Valley since the deoperationalisation of Article 370 by the Parliament in August last year.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju is also present in Gulmarg to preside over the event. He has hailed the event as a major indicator of the return of normalcy in J&K.

Rijiju said, “Come, witness and enjoy India’s first-ever Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg. It will not only promote sports but also generate a huge tourism Industry and benefit the local economy.”

It should be noted that the athletes have arrived in Gulmarg to partake in the mass event despite the concerns over the spread of COVID-19 outbreak.