Jammu and Kashmir chief minister (CM) Omar Abdullah on Monday asked the organisers of the winter games to hold the events just after the snowfall along with advocating for the introduction of artificial snow at Gulmarg to bolster tourism and promote the destination as a winter sports hub.
J&k LG Manoj Sinha along with CM Omar Abdullah lighting lamps during the inauguration of the Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg, on Monday. (Waseem Andrabi/HT) Amid bright sunshine and above normal day temperatures, lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Monday inaugurated the 6th edition of Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Omar said that last month when snowfall happened in Gulmarg, who could have imagined that winter games will be held in bright sunshine and warm weather conditions. “We also need to change things. We want to develop Gulmarg as an international ski destination. On the beginning of the year we announce dates for Khelo India winter games without taking in consideration the snow. I am requesting the organisers of Khelo India instead of giving advance dates, they should be organising these games 10 or 15 days after snowfall, so that proper types of slopes could be developed for winter games.”
Omar later told reporters that time has come we should go towards the generation of artificial snow, adding that this is being used across the world.
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