After the successful conduct of two editions, the third edition of the Khelo India National Winter Games has begun with full enthusiasm on Friday amid snowfall at famous tourist destination Gulmarg in Kashmir.

Addressing the audience after throwing the mega event open, Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur said that Khelo India is a vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote sports amongst the Youth of the country.

The Union Minister while addressing the gathering lauded the capabilities and talent of the Youth of Jammu and Kashmir. He assured that centre would leave no stone unturned in providing every possible assistance to create and develop sports culture in the Union Territory. The Union Minister said that the Youth of J&K is full of potential who are now busy in shaping their future using sports as a platform. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha who was present on the occasion stressed the need to develop "Gulmarg" as a Centre of Excellence for Winter Sports. He said that the sports budget of Jammu and Kashmir is enormous as compared to other states and union territories of the country.
The mega event will continue for next four days wherein more than 1500 athletes from across the country are taking part in eleven different sports categories.