Gulmarg, Feb 25 (UNI) All arrangements, including security, have been put in place for the Second edition of Khelo India Winter Games at this world famous ski resort where around 1200 players and guests are expected to participate in the event commencing from Friday.
An official said that the second edition of the games will start from Friday and culminate on March 2. ‘Around 1200 athletes and guests from across the country are scheduled to participate in the event,’ he added.
He said due to non-availability of accommodation at Gulmarg, which has witnessed huge influx of tourists this winter season, many teams have been provided accommodation at Tangmarg and other adjoining areas. People, including tourists, were being frisked and their identification cards checked at Tangmarg, before allowing them to move towards Gulmarg, which received fresh light snowfall
Earlier this month, the district administration Baramulla had issued an order asking hotels to cancel pre-bookings of tourist an accommodate participants and officials of Khelo India Winter games. But, the order was retrieved following massive outrage from all sections of society, including hoteliers.
Meanwhile, security forces have been deployed in strength from Narbal to Gulmarg, where Lt Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the arrangements for the event. The mega sports event is one of the many efforts aimed at engaging the youth in positive and constructive activities.
He said athletes from 27 states and Union Territories (UTs) will converge on the snow-bound slopes of Gulmarg during the event to compete in different categories of sports.
The prominent sports activities, which will be the hallmark of the winter games, include snow shoe race, ice skating, ice hockey, skiing, Nordic ski, snowboarding and ski mountaineering etc. Athletes from the Indian Army and the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports will also participate in the event, besides the athletes from different states and UTs.
On the occasion, a number of cultural programmes shall also be organised, besides setting up of stalls of ethnic food and local crafts.
The event is being organised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the J&K Sports Council and the Winter Games Association of J&K.
J&K administration has made all arrangements and put in place all facilities in advance. A special team of doctors and ambulances have been directed to be kept available round the clock.
A special team of the State Disaster Response Fund shall remain deployed for relief and rescue operations.