Mandaviya Hails Khelo India Winter Games as Over 1,000 Athletes Head to Leh
Figure skating debuts as 21 states and UTs take part in high-altitude winter sports showcase
Leh, Jan 20 : More than 1,000 athletes, both men and women, will compete in the Ladakh leg of the Khelo India Winter Games 2026, which begins in Leh on Tuesday and runs until January 26.
The competitions will be held across three venues the Nawang Dorjan Stobdan (NDS) Stadium, the Army rink, and the frozen Gupukh’s Pond offering a challenging test for athletes amid sub-zero temperatures and low oxygen levels at high altitude.
A total of 472 athletes will participate in the two ice disciplines ice skating and ice hockey. A major highlight this year is the introduction of figure skating, an Olympic sport, which has been included for the first time, adding a new dimension to the Winter Games.
In the Ladakh leg of the 2025 edition, the host region topped the medal tally with four gold medals out of 13, while Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra finished second and third, respectively.
Mandaviya Praises Expansion of Winter Sports
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the Winter Games reflect the growing momentum of Indian sport and the government’s push to broaden competitive opportunities.
“The year has begun with strong momentum for Indian sport, with two Khelo India Games being conducted in the opening month, including the recently concluded Khelo India Beach Games 2026 in Diu. The Khelo India Winter Games now add another important dimension, creating avenues for athletes to compete and excel in winter sports,” Mandaviya said.
He added that sustained efforts by the Narendra Modi government have helped institutionalise winter sports within India’s domestic competition framework.
Ice Hockey Remains Centre Stage
Ice hockey continues to be the marquee sport in Ladakh, though the inclusion of figure skating has drawn widespread interest. At the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, last February, India fielded its largest-ever contingent of 59 athletes, including 23 ice skaters.
US-based Tara Prasad finished eighth overall India’s best ever result in figure skating at the Asian Games while Manjesh Tiwari placed 15th in the men’s event.
“In Harbin, we may not have won medals, but we showed that we can compete. More competition means more opportunities, and that’s why this edition of the Khelo India Winter Games is a milestone,” said Mohammad Abbas Nordak, senior national coach from Ladakh.
Participation and Medal Count
A total of 21 states and Union Territories are participating in the Ladakh leg. Haryana (62 athletes), Himachal Pradesh (55) and host Ladakh (52) have fielded the largest contingents.
Seventeen gold medals will be on offer, with 15 golds in ice skating events.
Mandaviya said the Khelo India programme will continue to expand, beginning with the Khelo India Tribal Games next month, followed by other formats across the country, aimed at strengthening India’s domestic sports ecosystem and providing sustained competitive platforms for athletes.
