First Khelo India Zanskar Winter Sports Festival begins in Ladakh

Leh: In Ladakh, the Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju launched the first ever Khelo India Zanskar Winter Sports Festival at Padum in Zanskar of Kargil district. The festival is being organised by the Ladakh UT Administration to promote Zanskar as winter tourists’ destination.

The main features of the 13-day festival are Ice Climbing, trekking on frozen Zanskar River, Ice Hockey, snow sculpture and ethnic food festival. Addressing the inaugural function of the Khelo India Zanskar Winter Sport and Youth Festival, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Ministry will provide sports facilities in all regions of Ladakh. He said, the Ministry will promote Ladakh as a centre for Ice Hockey and soon open an centre for archery and polo in two areas in the region.

Zanskar Winter Sports and Youth festival is being introduced as an annual event in Zanskar to showcase its potential in adventure tourism and sports. It is one of the major events planned to promote winter tourism in Ladakh. Lieutanant Governor Ladakh R. K. Mathur and Member of Parliament Jamyang Tsering Namgyal , Chief Executive Councilor of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh Tashi Galsion also attended the inaugural function.