Winter games starts off in style

The fifth edition of the National Winter Games got off to a blazing start amidst divine snowfall with the J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad inaugurating the five-day long snow festival at the famed tourist resort here on Monday.

The Chief Minister promised a huge infrastructure overhauling in the coming time to bring this ski resort on the world sports scene. The games will conclude on February 22 with several events like ice hockey, ice-skating, alpine and Nordic skiing will be held during the next four days.

Hosts of ministers including top civil, police and army officials, sportspersons, adventure lovers, tourists and people were gathered in large numbers to witness the inaugural ceremony.

Around 500 sportspersons from different states across the country including Shimla Ice Skating Club, ITBP, IISM, HAWS, GMVN, MSI, AVLI, DMAS Manali, Army, and Navy are taking part in the event.

The highlight of the inaugural ceremony was the sky-diving show by Indian Air Force dare-devils. All the participants did a march-past and there was also a demonstration by snow vehicles followed by a spectacular cultural programme.

Gulmarg, at 9,000 feet above sea level, is an ideal venue for winter sports. Gulmarg, which means a meadow of flowers, is really a picturesque place and apt setting for such games and specially now with over five feet of snow on the ground.

While addressing the gathering, Chief Minister said, Kashmiris are known for the warmth of their hospitality, love, affection and care for guests. "We welcome tourists from every part of the country and abroad," he said.

The Chief Minister also said that Gulmarg is a great resort of its kind not only for its location and surroundings but also because it is just one-hour drive away from the Srinagar international airport.

He also urged the participants and tourists to act as ambassadors of J&K stated and share their experiences with people across the country and abroad so that they will come to know that how peaceful, beautiful and hospitable the state is. It would basically encourage others to visit the state and go back with pleasant memories.