Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the first-ever Khelo India Zanskar Winter Sports Festival on January 21, 2021, at Padum in Zanskar of Kargil district. Kiren Rijiju in presence of Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh R K Mathur and Member Parliament (MP) Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgyal attended the ongoing Zanskar Winter Sports and Youth Festival at Zanskar Ski School Padum. He further assured sports infrastructure development in the Union Territory.
The 13-day festival includes ice climbing, trekking on the frozen Zanskar River, ice hockey and snow sculpture. An ethnic food fest is an added attraction.
What an amazing moment at Khelo India Zanskar Winter Sports Festival. Despite the weather being extremely chilling at minus-29°C, the warmth of the Ladakhi people has lit up the atmosphere. https://t.co/rTNqONI8Al pic.twitter.com/X8JPNUyG6v
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 21, 2021
The 13-day festival has been organized by the Ladakh UT Administration to promote Zanskar as a winter tourist destination.
Inaugurated the spectacular Khelo India Winter Sports Festival at Zanskar, Ladakh. LG Ladakh RK Mathur Ji, MP @jtnladakh and large numbers of people participated. This area used to remain cut off from the rest of the world for 5-6 months due to heavy snow but no more now! pic.twitter.com/XjG1OL6gSV
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 21, 2021
One of the main important events of Khelo India- Zanskar Winter Sports & Youth Festival 2021 is Yak Riding on snow. The Union Sports Minister rode on a Yak at-30° at 19000ft altitude in Skisherak-Pibiting near to encourage and promote this winter festival globally.
Snow Yak Riding at Zanskar Winter Sports Festival in Ladakh. https://t.co/JpKy1r9udv
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 22, 2021
The Minister urged people to get acclimatized first and be fit so that they can feel the spectacular beauty of Zanskar and enjoy Khelo India Winter Sports Festival.
Get acclimatized first and be fit so that you can feel the spectacular beauty of Zanskar and enjoy Khelo India Winter Sports Festival!
Life is tough because of high altitude with freezing cold of minus -20°C in Day time and -32°C at night! But now the mood of Zanskar is lit-up! pic.twitter.com/LRG2s075D6— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 22, 2021
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. Lieutenant 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.
