It was the perfect gift for the UT to host a major national event for the first time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was certainly a landmark day for picturesque Leh. The Khelo India Winter Games 2024, a debut for Ladakh, got off to a musical start at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Stadium. Fifteen states and two public institutions are taking part in ice hockey and ice skating events over five days. The second part of the Winter Games will be held in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir from February 21-25.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On this special day for Ladakh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a special message to the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 organisers. In his address, PM Modi talked about how Khelo India was bringing India closer to each other.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe just witnessed the conclusion of the highly successful Khelo India Youth Games in Tamil Nadu. From the southern to the northern tip, the journey and spirit of Khelo India continues unabated. The Khelo India Winter Games epitomizes this spirit further, aiming to nurture champions and positions the regions of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, as premier winter sports destinations, globally,\u201d said PM Modi.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Khelo India Centre of Excellence in Ladakh will provide a big boost to sportspersons in this challenging region. The centre will serve three sports -\u2013 athletics, archery and boxing. The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports\u2019 decision to tap talent in Ladakh was well received.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Dr. Mishra said: \u201cThis tie-up will help sportspersons from the region to get the right facilities and improve their standards. We always want our athletes to learn from the best experts and reach international levels. This is certainly a significant milestone in the history of Ladakh sports.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the chilly weather, a motley turnout at the NDS Stadium witnessed traditional folk dances and were treated to some foot-tapping music by the popular local band, Dashugs. An exhibition ice hockey match between UT-Ladakh and Indo-Tibetan Border Police set the ball rolling. The match ended 0-0. A thrilling 500-metre short-track ice skating by a team of girls from across India was an additional treat.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The first medals of the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 were also decided on Day 1. Eklavya Jagal of Uttar Pradesh won the gold in the under-17 short track (300m) skating for boys. He clocked 31.81 seconds. Aarav Patwardhan (32.03) and Advay Kothari (32.60) finished in that order. Both represented Maharashtra.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In the boys' 17-plus short track skating, Karnataka\u2019s Akash Aradhya (32.81) won the gold medal. Maharashtra\u2019s Sujoy Tapkir (33.33) and Sumit Tapkir (34.33 sec) ended second and third.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Eight teams in men\u2019s ice hockey and four in women\u2019s ice hockey have also started their campaigns. While the men have been divided into two groups, the women will play a round-robin league. ITBP are the top seeds in both men's and women\u2019s sections.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/02\/pm-modis-special-message-for-khelo-india-winter-games-as-ladakh-gets-sai-centre-of-excellence.jpeg", "alt_img": "PM Modi\u2019s special message for Khelo India Winter Games as Ladakh gets SAI Centre of Excellence", "alt_title": "PM Modi\u2019s special message for Khelo India Winter Games as Ladakh gets SAI Centre of Excellence ", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "PM Modi\u2019s Special Message For Khelo India Winter Games As Ladakh Gets SAI Centre Of Excellence On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "PM Modi\u2019s Special Message For Khelo India Winter Games As Ladakh Gets SAI Centre Of Excellence, The Khelo India Winter Games: The Union Territory of Ladakh will soon have a Khelo India Centre of Excellence as.", "seo_keywords": "PM Modi, Khelo India Winter Games, SAI Centre, The Union Territory, Khelo India Centre, Sports Authority, Union Territory, The Khelo India Winter Games, Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Stadium, Winter Games, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Khelo India, Khelo India", "tag": "", "tagging": "PM Modi, Khelo India Winter Games, SAI Centre, The Union Territory, Khelo India Centre, Sports Authority, Union Territory, Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Stadium, Winter Games, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Khelo India, Khelo India", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "pm-modis-special-message-for-khelo-india-winter-games-as-ladakh-gets-sai-centre-of-excellence", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "807", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2024-02-02 19:40:03", "updated": "2024-02-02 19:40:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "PM Modi, Khelo India Winter Games, SAI Centre, The Union Territory, Khelo India Centre, Sports Authority, Union Territory, The Khelo India Winter Games, Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Stadium, Winter Games, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Khelo India, Khelo India", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-02-02 19:40:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "others", "cnmid": "860864", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/pm-modis-special-message-for-khelo-india-winter-games-as-ladakh-gets-sai-centre-of-excellence-12858" }