Khelo India Winter Games 2024
JAMMU, FEBRUARY 12: Union Secretary, Sports, Sujata Chuturvedi, and Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today co-chaired the Executive Committee level meeting held to review preparations for the forthcoming Khelo India Winter Games 2024 scheduled to be held from the 21st February to 25th February at Gulmarg.
Addressing the officers during the meeting, the Union Secretary emphasized on the importance of meticulous planning and seamless coordination in executing various facets of the Khelo India Winter Games.
The meeting deliberated on several key aspects of the games like venue preparation, infrastructure development, participant registration, promotional activities, media planning and other related issues concerning the smooth execution of games.
She emphasized upon the officers to focus on enhancing the overall experience for athletes and spectators by exploring innovative strategies to elevate the standard of the games and maximize their impact on the sporting landscape.
The Union Secretary remarked that all the required arrangements need to be put in place beforehand for the successful conduct of this edition of the Khelo India Winter Games. She stressed upon the organisers to provide full support to volunteers as they are the main arm for the smooth conduct of games. She also called upon the organisers to categorise the dining places and other areas so that the athletes are facilitated and provided the required logical support.
The Union Secretary complimented the departments and organisers for smooth synergy and coordination, adding that it will be a milestone in the journey towards hosting a spectacular edition of the games.
Speaking during the meeting, the Chief Secretary remarked that Gulmarg is emerging as the Winter Sports Capital of India and we need to follow all the technical protocols related to these games so as to professionalise them to its core. He highlighted that the Khelo India Winter Games is a testament to the fact that J&K has established such kind of facilities by which it can organise a grand event like this.
The Chief Secretary called upon all the stakeholder departments and agencies that all the required arrangements need to be in place well in advance besides any area of concern should be addressed beforehand. He further called upon the essential service departments to keep backup plans available in order to meet any kind of exigency due to snowfall.
He emphasised that the organiser Ski patrol teams as well as other disaster response teams should be put in place at designated places to deal with any kind of eventuality during the games.
Dulloo further asked the Director of Information to launch a dedicated campaign for publicity of this grand event and amplify the use of social media for the same. He expressed confidence in delivering a world-class sporting spectacle.
During the meeting, Secretary of Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez, gave a detailed presentation on preparations for this event. He informed the meeting that all the necessary arrangements have been made with ample focus on accommodation, transportation, catering and other essential facilities for the athletes.
It was also given out in the meeting that help desks have been established at Airports, Jammu Railway Station, and TRCs to facilitate visitors as well as athletes coming for this grand event.
Secretary of Health and Medical Education, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed, informed the meeting that a good number of ambulances has been made available for the games, adding that facilities at PHC Gulmarg have been augmented with the deployment of enough number of specialist doctors. He also informed the meeting that Critical care ambulances as well as chopper services will be made available to meet any kind of exigency besides enough medicines and other required medical instruments have been stocked up at the venue.
During the meeting, representatives of SAI, the Indian Olympic Association and other agencies gave their valuable inputs for the smooth conduct of the games.
