CS for using such opportunities to promote J&K internationally
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 4: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, here today emphasised the need for optimally utilising the events like ‘Khelo India Winter Games’ for tourism promotion in J&K at global level.
He was addressing a meeting to take stock of the preparations being made for successful conduct of 5th edition of ‘Khelo India Winter Games’ to be held at Gulmarg.
Secretary, YS&S; Dy DG, SAI; Principal Secretary, Culture Department; ADGP, L&O; DG, F&ES; Commissioner Secretary, GAD; Commissioner Secretary, Tourism; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Secretary, PWD; Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla/ Budgam; Director, Information and PR and other concerned officers were present in the meeting while out station officers participated online.
Dulloo highlighted the significance of such national level events in promoting brand J&K as one of the prominent tourist destinations.
He maintained that Gulmarg being one of the biggest ski destinations in whole of the country should be utilised to attract the international skiers by holding exclusive competitions for them.
The CS asked for exploring the possibility of holding Heliskiing competitions for its professional players at the venue.
Regarding successful commencement of winter games, he asked the divisional administration to coordinate with other departments so that the games are held in a befitting manner.
Dulloo enjoined upon the Youth Services & Sports Department to start their promotional campaigns on their social media handles in order to create necessary buzz about this event. He asked them to use the creatives captured earlier for this purpose. The CS impressed upon the department to look into holding such events at tourist destinations of J&K in coordination with Tourism Department to make year round activity calendar for adventure lovers all over the country.
He also reviewed security, sanitation, transportation, health, traffic management besides provisioning of uninterrupted supply of power and water during these days and directed the departments to make best of the arrangements with adequate back-ups for each of the facility required at the venue.
Dulloo directed for making suitable arrangements for holding cultural programmes and demonstrations during night time in view of cold weather there. He also asked the Information & PR to coordinate with DD and AIR for live telecast of these events besides giving wide publicity to sporting events.
Secretary, YS&S, Sarmad Hafeez, informed the meeting that J&K is hosting these winter games 5th time straightaway this year.
He further gave out that the sporting competitions like Alpine Skiing, Nordic Skiing, Ski Mountaineering and Snow Boarding would be held in Gulmarg as part of Khelo India Winter Games 2025 this year.
He revealed that 30 teams consisting of about 1000 athletes and officers from different states and sports boards all over India are going to participate in these events scheduled to be held from February 22-25, 2025.
About the commencement of events, it was divulged that the players would be received on February 21 at Srinagar Airport.
The games are going to be opened in a grand ceremony on February 22 with culmination on February 25 with a medal ceremony and gala cultural event.
The meeting was also informed that different committees had been constituted to give final shape to the arrangements.
It was revealed that different stalls depicting handicrafts and cuisines would be installed to promote such trades.
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