The fifth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2025 is set to kick off on January 23, 2025, in Ladakh, marking the start of the Khelo India season. The opening ceremony will take place at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Sports Complex in Leh, where Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, will officially declare the Games open. The event will also be attended by Brigadier Dr. B.D. Mishra, Lt. Governor of Ladakh, alongside senior officials from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council.
Key Highlights of KIWG 2025
Event Schedule and Participants:
The first phase, featuring ice hockey and ice skating, will run from January 23 to 27, 2025, in Ladakh.
The second phase, focusing on snow games like skiing, will be held in Jammu & Kashmir from February 22 to 25, 2025.
594 participants, including 428 athletes, will compete in Ladakh across the two disciplines.
Opening Ceremony:
The traditional Ladakhi-style opening ceremony will showcase the region’s rich cultural heritage, welcoming athletes and officials to the games.
Ice Hockey and Skating Venues:
Competitions will be held at the NDS Sports Complex, the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre, and Gupuks Pond.
SAI, along with national sports federations, will oversee the technical conduct of events.
Defending Champions and Teams
Maharashtra, the reigning champions in ice skating, will aim to defend their title, having won 20 medals (including 6 golds) in KIWG 2024.
Army and ITBP, the defending men’s and women’s ice hockey champions, will face stiff competition from teams like Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
Himachal Pradesh leads the participation tally with 78 athletes, followed by Haryana (62), Ladakh (52), and Maharashtra (48).
Impact and Vision
The Khelo India Winter Games, launched in 2020, have become a significant platform under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to promote sports and identify talent at the national level. Apart from showcasing the skills of athletes, the event also highlights the culture, heritage, and tourism of host regions.
The KIWG 2025 promises to be a vibrant celebration of sports, culture, and camaraderie, further strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem while promoting Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir as hubs for winter sports and tourism.
