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Athletes participating in KIWG realizing PM Modi’s dream: Secretary Sports Council

GULMARG, FEBRUARY 25:  The spectacular display of five day sports show of 4th edition of Khelo India Winter Games, 2024 came to an end today at an impressive closing ceremony at Golf Course Gulmarg.

Besides Secretary J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull, who was the chief guest on the occasion, the ceremony was attended by CEO, Gulmarg Development Authority, Waseem Raja, GM Cable Car Corporation, SSP Traffic Rural, 6-time Olympian, athletes, officials and a large number of local people.

The 4th edition of KIWG crowned Army as new champions which clinched the top position with 10 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze medals  followed by first runner up  Karnataka with 9 gold & 2 silver medals  and 2nd runner up Maharashtra with 7 gold, 8 silver & 7 bronze medals.

The J&K is placed at 9th position in the medal tally  with 1 gold, 6 Silver and 4 bronze medals.

From hosts Shahid Ahmad Chach clinched sole Gold medal in Verticle Ski Mountaineering while he also won silver in another discipline of Sprint and shared a bronze with three other colleagues in Ski Mountaineering Men Relay group.

Besides Chachi,  Shazi Hassan, Sobia Nabi, Shaista Shabir & Vikar  also bagged silver medals in Ski Mountaineering Women Sprint, Alpine Skiing Women Slalom and Alpine Skiing Women Parallel and Men Parallel Slalom respectively.

Also, J&K  bagged another Silver in Ski Mountaineering Women Relay in which Shazia Hassan, Maryam Farooq and Noorian Latief teamed up to display enthusiastic spirit to clinch the title.

Further, four bronze medals also came in the  bucket of J&K including one from  Men Relay Ski Mountaineering team and  three  others were scored by Gousia Gulzar, Mehraj ud Din Bhat and Mehraj Ud Din Khan in individual events.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony, Secretary, Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull expressed gratitude to the Officers and Officials of Divisional Administration, District Administration, Civil Departments and security agencies for rendering their services for successful conduct of 4th Edition of Khelo India Winter Games.

She also thanked athletes who came from different parts of the country and displayed their talent and sprit of sportsmanship.

She maintained that athletes participating in KIWG are realizing the dream of Prime Minister, Shri Narander Modi.

“khelo India Games are providing platform to youth from grassroot level to showcase their talent and compete at national level”, she said.

Speaking about the importance of KWIG in cultural enrichment, she said, “these games are helping in the exchange of culture, tradition and languages among athletes and enhance their vision and confidence”.

While appreciating the Local & national  media for  wide coverage of the event she conveyed the appreciation message of Union Minister of Youth Services & Sports Shri Anurag Thakur for the positive & pivotal role played by the media.

She also thanked all Olympians for officiating the Khelo India Winter Games and enabling professional conduct of national event in which 600 athletes & officials participated.

CEO, Gulmarg Development Authority Waseem Raja also expressed his gratitude to the departments and service providers for successful conduct of KIWG.

The mementos & appreciation certificates were also distributed among the guests and service providers.

GULMARG, FEBRUARY 25: Shahid Ahmad Chachi, the sole gold medal winner for J&K in 4th Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg brought cheers to the host UT on Saturday. His yellow footprints on the Kangdoori slopes shall leave indelible marks on his evolving professional career.

Shahid did not disappoint his admirers; instead he won hearts of fans & sport lovers with a phenomenal performance in Vertical Ski Mountaineering at Kangdoori when he mounted the distance taking 35 minutes 29 seconds earning the title by defeating  Mayank Dimri with marginal duration of 41 seconds.

Shahid Chachi,  local boy from Tangmarg coming from humble background,  is a self taught athlete who has  been working hard diurnally to embark on the successful sports career.

Yesterday was the moment,  he achieved milestone and the first Gold medal in of his career in any national event.

Thanking Almighty for the success, Chachi says, ” I put tremendous effort during my training and my God bestowed me with  result”. “My family support & prayers rejuvenated my energy and made it convenient for me to obtain the goal”. 

Initially, he had topped the event organized by local Ski association. After assessing the inbuilt potential that Chachi possesses, association members encouraged him and mentored his talent by working on his   techniques and skill.

Acknowledging the role of coaches for the latest success, Chachi thanked Mehraj Ud Din Bhat and Younis Ahmed for the support,  valuable guidance and mentorship.

The coaches saw glimpse of fine talent in the youngster who  invited him to register for 4th Khelo India Winter Games, 2024.

The Gold medal was his 3rd  medal in KIWG after Silver in Sprint and shared  bronze in Men’s Relay of Skiing Mountaineering with a group of other three colleagues including Mehraj ud Din Bhat, Ghulam Mohammad & Shiekh  Mohsin.

“Given the opportunity to represent the UT and Country, I will surely bring medals”, Shahid makes a promise to the nation.

“We have great facilities here”, he says and adds that “we only need willpower to participate in games”.

“Many youngsters of our country go foreign countries to participate in various competitions” the athlete expects them to explore the winter adventure at Gulmarg.

The elated youngster while celebrating the occasion, shows reservation to give credit to anyone  other than country and himself.

GULMARG, FEBRUARY 22: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and Youth Affairs & Sports, Nisith Pramanik today flagged off women’s mountain ski event at Kongdoori Phase 1 here during the ongoing 4th edition of Khelo India Winter Games.

After flagging off the event, the Union Minister appreciated the enthusiasm and talent of participating female skiers and encouraged them to pursue their passion for winter sports.

The Minister also interacted with the players and officials on the occasion. He expressed satisfaction over the successful organisation of this national event and praised the efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir administration, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as well as  the J&K Sports Council.

Nisith Pramanik remarked that the Khelo India Winter Games is a major event that showcases the potential of Gulmarg as the capital of winter sports in the country. He said that next edition of  event would be even bigger with all the international standards. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Anurag Thakur and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for their support and guidance in developing sports infrastructure in J&K and promoting winter sports among the youth.

Minister further said that the Khelo India Winter Games is not only a sports event, but a snow festival that celebrates  beauty and culture of Gulmarg and J&K. He added that the event has boosted  tourism and economy of the region and attracted visitors from across the country and abroad.

He remarked that J&K has transitioned into a new era of prosperity and peace under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha.

The Minister expressed hope that Khelo India Winter Games would inspire more youngsters to take up winter sports and excel in them. He said that the government is committed to provide all the necessary facilities and support to the budding sportspersons and make India a global leader in winter sports.

It is a momentous occasion for more than 600 athletes who have been preparing for this spectacular event: LG Sinha

GULMARG, FEBRUARY 21: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha inaugurated the snow sports event of 4th Khelo India Games at the world-famous ski resort, Gulmarg today.

Shri Nisith Pramanik, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports and Home Affairs also graced the occasion.

The Lt Governor conveyed his best wishes to athletes from all over the country participating in different winter-sports disciplines. “It is a momentous occasion for more than 600 athletes who have been preparing for this spectacular event,” he said.

He invited the athletes, team officials and sports enthusiasts to enjoy the warm hospitality of Jammu Kashmir, enjoy the thrill of Alpine Ski, Nordic Ski, snow Mountaineering competitions and also enjoy the incredible sights and cuisine of the paradise on earth.

“The 4th Khelo India Winter Games, over the next 4 days, will honor the hard work, skills, dedication and sporting excellence on ski slope and I am confident it will renew the spirit of brotherhood, peace and harmony among all the teams,” the Lt Governor said.

At the inaugural ceremony, the Lt Governor highlighted the efforts of the government to promote robust sports culture in cities and villages of the Union Territory.

Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, a new era of sports has emerged in Jammu Kashmir. Renewed thrust on state-of-art infrastructure and allied facilities has given a huge impetus to sports sector, the Lt Governor observed.

Our talented sportspersons have proved their mettle in national and international sports events. Their achievements are inspiring the budding athletes to bring laurels to the UT and the nation, he said.

He also expressed gratitude to Government of India, Union Sports Ministry, Sports Authority of India for their support and cooperation. Under PMDP, national and international level sports infrastructure has been developed in J&K, he added.

Sh Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, through a video message, extended his best wishes for the successful conduct of the Khelo India Winter Games event and encouraged the participating athletes to give their best in the tournament.

Sh Nisith Pramanik, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports and Home Affairs lauded the Lt Governor led UT Administration for developing sports infrastructure at grassroot level and setting a milestone for other states as well.

Sh Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Dr Hina Shafi Bhat, Vice Chairperson, J&K KVIB; Maj Gen J. Fernandes, HAWS; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Sh Vidhi Kumar Birdi, IGP Kashmir; Ms. Yasha Mudgal, Commissioner Secretary, Tourism; Sh Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary Youth Services & Sports; Sh Minga Sherpa, Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, senior officials, representatives of Sports Authority of India and various sports organizations, prominent sports personalities and sports enthusiasts in large numbers were present.