Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the second Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir and said that the event is a step towards making Jammu and Kashmir a hub of winter sports in the country.

The Games will begin tomorrow and will continue till 2nd of March. Athletes from 27 states and Union Territories are competing in the Games.

"This is a step towards making India's presence felt in the international winter games arena and also make Jammu and Kashmir a hub of winter sports," PM said in a virtual address.

"These Games will strengthen the resolve for "Ek Bharat, Shreshth Bharat". I am told the participation has doubled this year and it is a reflection of the inclination towards winter sports in the country," he added.

The disciplines in Games include alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, ski mountaineering, ice hockey, and ice skating among others.