More than 1,000 athletes will compete in the Ladakh leg of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026, which begins in Leh on Tuesday and will conclude on January 26.
Events will be held at the Nawang Dorjan Stobdan Stadium, the Army rink, and the frozen Gupukh’s Pond, with the opening ceremony scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. About 472 athletes will participate in ice sports, including ice skating and ice hockey, while figure skating, an Olympic sport, has been introduced for the first time.
The first leg of the Games is being organised by the Ladakh UT Youth Services and Sports Department under the supervision of the Sports Authority of India. Athletes will compete in tough high-altitude conditions, including sub-zero temperatures and low oxygen levels.
Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and host Ladakh have the highest number of participants among the 21 states and UTs taking part. A total of 17 gold medals will be at stake in the Ladakh leg.
The Khelo India Winter Games are the second Khelo India event of 2026, following the recently held Khelo India Beach Games in Diu.(KINS)
