National Winter Games torch arrive Gulmarg, games from tomorrow

Gulmarg, Feb 17 (UNI) The torch relay of the fifth edition of National Winter Games, being held at Gulmarg from tomorrow, arrived here this afternoon.

The Games will be inaugurated by the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad tomorrow.

All arrangements, including the stay of participants and security measures have been completed, officials said.

According to officials the torch, which was flagged off by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi at New Delhi on February 12 and handed over to veteran Jammu and Kashmir Olympian Gul Mustafa, reached here after travelling through Dehradun, Shimla, Jammu and Srinagar.

About 500 sportspersons of 18 different teams of the country would participate in the six-day long winter games, including Alpine skiing, Cross Country, Ice Skating and Ice-hockey.

Gulmarg was honoured to host the games for the third time.

Earlier in 1998 and 2004 Gulmarg hosted first and third National winter games.

UNI FMH MYK RKM BST1804