Leh, Jan 22: The much-anticipated fifth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2025 is set to kick off in Ladakh on Thursday, January 23. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, will inaugurate the games at the iconic Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Sports Complex in Leh. This marks the start of the Khelo India season, with the winter spectacle split into two parts: ice events in Ladakh from January 23–27 and snow games in Jammu & Kashmir from February 22–25.
A total of 19 teams, featuring 428 athletes from various states, Union Territories, and institutional outfits, will participate in the ice events: ice hockey and ice skating. The opening ceremony promises to showcase Ladakh’s rich cultural heritage in a traditional style, welcoming 594 participants, including athletes and support staff.
The games will be held across multiple venues, including the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Sports Complex, Gupuks Pond, and the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre. The competitions will be technically overseen by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in collaboration with national sports federations.
Dr. Mandaviya will be joined by Brigadier Dr. B.D. Mishra, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, and other dignitaries, including senior officials from the SAI and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. The opening ceremony will be broadcast live on Doordarshan Sports, with daily events streamed live until January 27
Defending champions Army (men’s ice hockey) and ITBP (women’s ice hockey) are gearing up for intense competition against other teams, including Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and UT Ladakh. Himachal Pradesh leads with the largest contingent of 78 members, followed by Haryana (62), Ladakh (52), and Maharashtra (48). Uttarakhand will field the smallest team, with just one athlete.
In the previous edition, Maharashtra dominated the ice skating events, claiming 20 medals, including six golds, while Karnataka, with an equal gold tally, secured second place due to a lower overall medal count. Hosts Ladakh achieved a historic feat by winning two golds in speed skating, placing third overall with 13 medals.
