JAMMU: 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 yo be held from 21st February to 25th February at Gulmarg.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Culture, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Commission Secretary Tourism, Secretary Youth Services and Sports, Secretary Public Works department, Secretary Health and Medical Education, IG Traffic J&K, Director Fire and Emergency Services, Director Information, J&K, Director Tourism Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Director Youth Services and Sports, MD KPDCL, Chief Engineer PHE Kashmir, CEO Gulmarg Development Authority, representatives of Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association, National Sports Federations, Hoteliers Association J&K, Winter Sports Association J&K and other concerned officers.
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 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 successful conduct of this edition of Khelo India Winter Games. She stressed upon the organisers to provide full support to volunteers as they are the main arm for 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 required logical support.
The Union Secretary complimented the departments and organisers for smooth synergy and coordination, adding that it will be 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 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 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 plan 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 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 to deliver a world-class sporting spectacle.
During the meeting, Secretary Youth Services and Sports, Sarmad Hafeez, gave a detailed presentation on preparations of 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, TRCs to facilitate visitors as well as athletes coming for this grand event.
Secretary 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 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, Indian Olympic Association and other agencies gave their valuable inputs for the smooth conduct of games.