Author: 1. Mr. Sonam Gytso 2. Dr. Waseem Raja Malik 3. Mr. Lobzang Kunkyab
Introduction:
India, traditionally recognized for its dominance in sports like cricket, field hockey, and badminton, has been making significant strides in diversifying its sports landscape. A key initiative in this effort is the Khelo India Program, which aims to promote sports across the nation. A notable extension of this initiative is the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG), launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to foster the development of winter sports in India. This tournament provides a crucial platform for athletes to showcase their skills across various winter disciplines, driving the growth of winter sports throughout the country.
The Khelo India Winter Games offer young athletes a unique opportunity to display their talent in winter sports while benefiting from world-class training facilities. The event plays a pivotal role in India’s increasing involvement in global winter sports competitions. For the first time, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India, took the lead in managing the technical conduct of the games, working closely with the National Sports Federations and the Ad-hoc body of the Indian Olympic Association.
The fifth edition of KIWG took place in two phases: The first phase, focused on ice sports such as Ice Hockey and Ice Skating, was held from January 23rd to 27th, 2025, in Leh. Key venues in Ladakh included the NDS Stadium, Guphuk Pond, and the LSRC Army Rink. The second phase was initially scheduled from February 22 to 25 in Jammu and Kashmir, but was postponed due to lack of snow in the region and it was later held from March 9 to 12, 2025 which centered on snow sports like Ski Mountaineering, Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, and Nordic Skiing, was hosted in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir, at venues such as Kangdoori Phase 1 and the Golf Course Club.
Phase 1: Leh, Ladakh (January 23-27, 2025)
The first phase of the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 was held in Leh, Ladakh, where participants competed in two exciting ice sports:
- Ice Hockey
- Ice Skating
The events took place at prominent venues such as the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Ice Hockey Rink, Guphuk Pond and LSRC Army Rink.
Phase 2: Jammu & Kashmir (March 9-12, 2025)
The second phase of the games took place in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir, and showcased four major snow sports:
- Alpine Skiing
- Nordic Skiing
- Ski Mountaineering
- Snowboarding
Competitions were held at the Kangdoori Phase 1 and the Golf Course Club in Gulmarg.
Participation and Competition
The inaugural edition of the Khelo India Winter Games took place in Gulmarg, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, in March 2020, with 1,123 participants from across the nation. The 2025 edition of KIWG saw over 400 athletes from 19 teams—comprising states, Union Territories, and institutions—competing in six winter sports disciplines.
The Khelo India Winter Games follows a team championship format, where medals earned by individual athletes or teams contribute to the overall medal tally of their respective state, Union Territory, or institution. At the conclusion of the event, the state, Union Territory, or institution with the most gold medals is crowned the winner.
Medal Tally of Khelo India Winter Games 2025
| MEDAL TALLY | |||||
| Rank | State/UT/Team | Gold
Medals |
Silver Medals | Bronze Medals | Total Medals |
| 1 | Army | 7 | 5 | 6 | 18 |
| 2 | Himachal Pradesh | 6 | 5 | 7 | 18 |
| 3 | Ladakh | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 4 | Maharashtra | 3 | 5 | 5 | 13 |
| 5 | Tamil Nadu | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 6 | ITBP | 2 | 5 | 3 | 10 |
| 7 | Karnataka | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| 8 | Telangana | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 9 | Jammu & Kashmir | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 10 | Uttarakhand | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 11 | CRPF | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 12 | Haryana | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 13 | Delhi | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 13 | Madhya Pradesh | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
The Army emerged as the top performer at the Khelo India Winter Games 2025, leading the medal tally with seven golds, five silvers, and six bronzes. Nayana Sri Talluri, competing in the women’s 500m short track event, secured the first gold medal for the Army at KIWG 2025. The 15-year-old from Telangana made history by achieving a remarkable hat-trick of gold medals in speed skating at the event.
In another standout performance, Alpine skier Aanchal Thakur claimed gold in both the Alpine skiing slalom and giant slalom events held in Gulmarg, further cementing her legacy in Indian winter sports.
Indian Army’s Continued Dominance
The Indian Army won the Khelo India Winter Games 2024, claiming 7 gold, 5 silver, and 6 bronze medals. This marks their second consecutive title victory, further cementing their dominance in winter sports.
Past Winners of Khelo India Winter Games
- 2020: Jammu & Kashmir (Host & Winner)
- 2021: Jammu & Kashmir (Host & Winner)
- 2023: Jammu & Kashmir (Host & Winner)
- 2024: Indian Army (Winner)
- 2025: Indian Army (Winner)
Impact of Khelo India Winter Games
The Khelo India Winter Games have made a significant contribution to the promotion of winter sports in India, particularly in regions such as Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. This event has provided aspiring athletes with a valuable competitive platform and has helped enhance India’s potential to become a prominent hub for winter sports.
In addition, the Khelo India Winter Games have created an opportunity for Indian athletes to showcase their talent on the international stage. For instance, a total of 59 athletes, including the Indian men’s ice hockey team, Alpine skiers, cross-country skiers, figure skaters, short track speed skaters, and speed skaters, participated in the 9th Asian Winter Games 2025. This prestigious event took place in Harbin, China, from February 7 to February 14, 2025.
Summary of Khelo India Winter Games 2025
The Khelo India Winter Games 2025 hold great potential for fostering the growth of winter sports in India. While challenges remain, the program can make a lasting impact on young athletes and the country’s sporting culture. With strategic planning, investment in infrastructure, and the development of coaching resources, the KIWG aims to promote winter sports across the nation. The 2025 edition featured over 400 athletes from 19 teams competing in six winter sports disciplines across two phases: Phase 1 in Leh, Ladakh (ice sports) and Phase 2 in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir (snow sports). The games followed a team championship format, with the Indian Army emerging as the top performer. This event has played a key role in elevating winter sports, especially in regions like Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir, while providing Indian athletes with opportunities for international exposure, as seen with their participation in the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China. Notably, KIWG 2025 also marked the first time the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports took charge of the games’ technical management.
References
- Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. (2025). Khelo India Winter Games 2025 – An Overview. Retrieved from kheloindia.gov.in
- Sharma, R. (2024). Emerging Winter Sports in India: Opportunities and Challenges. Journal of Indian Sports Studies, 45(3), 67-82.
- Singh, A., & Sharma, P. (2023). Winter Sports Development in India: The Road Ahead. Sports Management Review, 29(1), 12-29.
- International Ski Federation (FIS). (2025). Global Trends in Winter Sports. Retrieved from fis-ski.com
- Walia, R. (2022). The Khelo India Scheme: Bridging the Gap for Young Athletes. Indian Journal of Sports Science, 56(4), 145-161.
- Khelo India Winter Games 2025 medal tally – full list
