Khelo India Winter Games 2025 Set to Begin in Ladakh with a Spectacular Start
The Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2025 are set to begin this Thursday in the picturesque region of Ladakh, marking the official start of the Khelo India season. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the much-anticipated event at the renowned Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Sports Complex in Leh. This marks the second time Ladakh is hosting the Winter Games, now in its fifth edition.
The KIWG 2025 will bring together 19 teams from various states, Union Territories, and institutions to compete in a five-day sporting extravaganza. The first phase of the competition will feature ice hockey and ice skating, with events taking place at two key venues—the NDS Sports Complex and Gupuks Pond, where short and long-form skating will be held. Ice hockey matches are set to take place at both the NDS Complex and the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre.
As the region gears up for this exciting event, the second phase of the games, focused on snow sports such as skiing, will take place in Jammu and Kashmir from February 22 to 25, 2025.
A total of 594 participants, including 428 athletes, are part of this year’s games. The opening ceremony, set to showcase traditional Ladakhi customs, will be broadcast live on Doordarshan Sports, with daily live streaming continuing through January 27.
The competition promises to be fierce, particularly in ice hockey, where teams from the Army, ITBP, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh are expected to battle it out for supremacy. The Army and ITBP have both dominated past KIWG and national titles, with the ITBP women’s team defending their championship and the Army men’s team looking to extend their winning streak.
In the 2024 edition, Maharashtra excelled in skating, winning 20 medals, including six golds. Karnataka also performed admirably, securing second place with six gold medals and a total of eight medals. Host region Ladakh made history by winning two gold medals in speed skating, finishing third with an impressive 13 medals overall.
Himachal Pradesh leads this year’s contingent, with a strong team of 78 athletes and support staff, followed by Haryana (62), Ladakh (52), and Maharashtra (48). The competition promises to showcase the strength and determination of India’s winter sports talent and further solidify the growing importance of winter sports in the country.
With the scenic backdrop of Ladakh’s stunning landscapes and the high-altitude atmosphere of Leh, the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 are set to be a truly memorable event, combining fierce competition with the rich cultural heritage of the region.
