Maharashtra Triumphs in Ladakh

After the end of the first leg of the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 held in Ladakh for the first time between February 2 and 6 Maharashtra topped the medal tally bagging six gold, eight silver and six bronze medals. Karnataka occupied the second spot on the rank list with six gold and two silver medals. A total of 344 athletes from 15 states and Union Territories and two public institutions participated in the Ladakh leg of the competition. In this segment of the winter games, competitions were held for two sports Ice-Hockey and Ice-Skating. The competitions were held at the NDS Sports Stadium, Gupuks Pond and Ladakh Scout Regimental Centre (LSRC) rink. The second half of the winter games will focus on sports like Ski Mountaineering, Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, Nordic Skiing and Gandola. These will be in Gulmarg (Jammu and Kashmir), witnessing participation of about 361 more athletes, from February 21 to 25.

Know the format

The Khelo India Winter Games operates in a team championship format. The medals earned by individual athletes or teams contribute to the overall medals tally of their respective state, Union Territory (UT) or institutions.

Flashback

In 2023, Jammu and Kashmir had topped the Khelo India Winter Games medal table with 26 gold and 25 each silver and bronze medals. Services, Karnataka and Maharashtra had finished runner-ups in the last three editions, respectively.

Ladakh, the debutant & its gift

The Khelo India Winter Games 2024 has been a debut for Ladakh as a host. The competition’s inaugural ceremony got off to a musical start at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Stadium in Ladakh. The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brig. (Dr) B.D. Mishra (Retd) was the chief guest on the occasion. The Union Territory of Ladakh also received a gift at the competition in the form of a centre of excellence. It will now have a Khelo India Centre of Excellence. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Sports Authority of India and the sports department, Union Territory of Ladakh. The Khelo India Centre of Excellence in Ladakh will provide a big boost to sportspersons in this challenging region. The centre will serve three sports – athletics, archery and boxing. A motley turnout at the NDS Stadium witnessed traditional folk dances and was treated to some foot-tapping music by the popular local band, Dashugs. An exhibition ice-hockey match between UT-Ladakh and Indo-Tibetan Border Police set the ball rolling. The match ended 0-0. A thrilling 500 metre short-track ice skating by a team of girls from across India was an additional treat.

A few champs

Eklavya Jagal of Uttar Pradesh won the gold in the under-17 short track (300m) skating for boys. He clocked 31.81 seconds. Aarav Patwardhan (32.03) and Advay Kothari (32.60) finished in that order. Both represented Maharashtra. In the boys 17- plus short track skating, Karnataka’s Akash Aradhya (32.81) won the gold medal. Maharashtra’s Sujoy Tapkir (33.33) and Sumit Tapkir (34.33 sec) ended second and third.