Leh, Oct 13:
Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, on Monday said that Ladakh is uniquely positioned to become India’s leading winter sports destination owing to its natural terrain and long, snow-clad winters. He called for creating world-class infrastructure and improving connectivity to promote Ladakh as a global adventure and winter sports hub while enhancing local livelihood opportunities through sustainable winter tourism.
Chairing a high-level meeting to review ongoing and upcoming winter sports projects in Drass and Zanskar, the Lt Governor said that the Union Territory Administration is committed to transforming Ladakh into a premier destination for skiing, ice hockey, and other winter sports on the lines of Gulmarg.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, Chairman LAHDC Kargil; Er. Punchok Tashi, Executive Councillor; councillors from Drass and Zanskar; Bhanu Prabha, Administrative Secretary, YSS; Tahr Hussain, Joint Director YSS; and representatives from the Ski Association of Ladakh and Zanskar Ski School.
Highlighting the immense potential of Ladakh’s unique winter landscape, LG Gupta emphasised the need to establish a Winter Sports Academy and install Chair Lift/Ski Drag Lift facilities in Drass and Zanskar. “The development of these projects will not only attract domestic and international sports enthusiasts but also open new avenues of employment and entrepreneurship for the local youth,” he said.
The LG noted that several major initiatives have already been undertaken with the support of the Government of India, including the installation of chilling plants for the ice hockey rinks at NDS Stadium in Leh and Kargil, enabling year-round artificial ice surfaces for training. He said such infrastructure will help nurture local talent to compete at national and international platforms, including the Winter Olympics.
Underscoring the UT Administration’s commitment, LG Gupta said that Khelo India Winter Games and other annual events will continue to be organised in Ladakh during the peak winter season to promote sports culture and tourism in the region.
Officials from Ronmas Pvt. India, the consultancy firm overseeing the project, briefed the meeting on the planned phases of development — with the Chair Lift/Ski Drag Lift to be established in the first phase, followed by the Winter Sports Academy in the second.
The stakeholders, including the CEC, Executive Councillor, and members of the Ski Association, urged the Lt Governor to fast-track the execution of these projects, asserting that Ladakh has the potential to become India’s hub for winter sports and adventure tourism while empowering local athletes and strengthening the regional economy.
