Leh, Jan 20: Leh is set to take centre stage in India’s winter sports calendar as the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 set to begin on Tuesday, January 20. The high-altitude region of Ladakh will host the ice sports leg of the Games, bringing together athletes, officials and sports enthusiasts from across the country amid sub-zero temperatures and snow-covered surroundings.
Organised under the Khelo India Scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Winter Games will open with competitions in Ice Hockey and Ice Skating. The ice events will be held from January 20 to January 26 at three major venues — Nawang Dorjan Stobdan (NDS) Stadium, Guphuk’s Pond and the Ladakh Scouts Regimental Centre (LSRC) Army Rink. All venues have undergone detailed preparation to ensure smooth conduct of events and athlete safety.
Calling the Khelo India Winter Games an opportunity to test character as much as sporting ability, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday urged athletes to make the most of the national platform as the 2026 edition gets underway in Leh.
Addressing the build-up to the Ladakh leg of the Games, Dr Mandaviya said winter sports are gradually finding space in India’s domestic competition structure, offering athletes exposure to demanding conditions that require resilience, discipline and careful preparation.
More than 1,000 participants — including athletes, coaches and technical officials — will be part of the first leg of KIWG 2026, which will conclude on January 26. The opening ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
Competitions will be spread across NDS Stadium, the Army rink and the frozen Guphuk’s Pond, all of which are expected to remain active venues throughout the week-long event.
A total of 472 athletes will compete in two ice sports — Ice Hockey and Ice Skating. This edition marks the introduction of Figure Skating, an Olympic discipline, into the Khelo India Winter Games programme, expanding the competitive scope of ice sports in the country.
Hosts Ladakh will aim to defend their strong performance from last season, when they topped the medal tally in the Leh leg with four gold medals out of 13 on offer. Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra finished second and third respectively.
The Ladakh leg of KIWG 2026 is being organised by the Union Territory’s Department of Youth Services and Sports under the supervision of the Sports Authority of India. National sports federations overseeing ice disciplines are providing technical support for the conduct of competitions.
KIWG 2026 is the second event on this year’s Khelo India calendar, following the Khelo India Beach Games held in Diu from January 5 to 10. For athletes and support staff, the Leh competitions will also serve as a test of performance in high-altitude conditions marked by low oxygen levels and extreme cold.
“The year has begun with strong momentum for Indian sport, with two Khelo India Games being held in the opening month,” Dr Mandaviya said. “The Winter Games add another dimension by creating competitive avenues in winter sports, which earlier had limited exposure in India. Hosting a national-level Winter Games reflects sustained efforts to bring these disciplines into the mainstream.”
While Ice Hockey continues to be the main crowd-puller in Ladakh, the inclusion of Figure Skating has attracted attention from across the sporting community. India sent its largest-ever contingent to the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, last year, with 59 athletes, including 23 ice skaters. Tara Prasad finished eighth overall — India’s best result in Figure Skating at the Asian Games — while Manjesh Tiwari placed 15th in the men’s category.
“In Harbin, we may not have reached the podium, but we showed that Indian skaters can compete,” said Mohammad Abbas Nordak, a senior national coach from Ladakh. “More competitions at home will help athletes improve, and this edition of the Winter Games moves us in that direction.”
Dr Mandaviya said the Khelo India programme will continue through multiple formats in the coming months, beginning with the Khelo India Tribal Games next month, followed by other competitions across the country. He added that a fixed competition calendar will help athletes plan better and strengthen the domestic sports ecosystem.
Among the 21 states and Union Territories participating in the Ladakh leg, Haryana leads with 62 athletes, followed by Himachal Pradesh with 55 and hosts Ladakh with 52. A total of 17 gold medals will be decided, with 15 coming from Ice Skating events.
Ice Hockey, one of the most popular winter sports in the region, is expected to draw strong local interest. Known for its fast pace and physical play, the sport will see teams compete with sharp passing, quick movement and coordinated play. Ice Skating events, including Figure Skating and Speed Skating, will add variety to the schedule, combining technique, balance and speed.
This is the third consecutive year since 2024 that Ladakh is hosting the ice events of the Khelo India Winter Games. Continued hosting has helped strengthen winter sports culture in the Union Territory and has provided young local players the opportunity to compete with national-level athletes on home ice.
Officials associated with the Games said strict anti-doping measures are in place to ensure fair competition. Medical teams, safety staff and volunteers have been deployed at all venues to ensure events proceed smoothly.
After the completion of the Leh leg, the Winter Games will move to Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir later in January or February. The Gulmarg phase will feature snow-based disciplines such as Alpine Skiing, Ski Mountaineering, Snowboarding and Nordic Skiing. Together, both legs of the Games are expected to see participation from over a thousand athletes.
With preparations complete and teams ready, Leh is prepared for a week of intense competition and sporting spirit. The Games are expected to give a boost to local winter tourism and encourage youth in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to take up winter sports in a more organised manner.
As the first whistle blows on Tuesday, all eyes will be on the frozen rinks of Leh, where India’s young winter athletes will skate, sprint and compete against the dramatic Himalayan backdrop.
