6th Khelo India Winter Games Commence in Leh

Lt Governor Kavinder Gupta on Tuesday declared open the 6th edition of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026 at the state-of-the-art NDS ice hockey stadium here, marking another milestone in Ladakh's journey as India's emerging hub for winter sports.

- Press Trust Of India

The Games are being held over seven days and will conclude on January 26, coinciding with the celebration of Republic Day.

Teams from 19 states comprising 1,060 participants including athletes, technical officials, support staff, and volunteers, along with the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, are participating in the Games, an official spokesman said.

He said the competitions include ice hockey, speed skating and, for the first time, figure skating.

Addressing the inaugural session, the Lt Governor said hosting the Games for the third consecutive year reflects the confidence reposed by the country in Ladakh's capability, commitment and preparedness to organise major sporting events in challenging high-altitude conditions.

He said the Games are playing a crucial role in promoting winter sports, nurturing young talent, and strengthening the sporting ecosystem in the region.