J&K to hold sports event amid virus scare

The J&K government and Union ministry of youth affairs and sports have come under severe criticism by political and social activists and netizens for going ahead with an all-India level spots event - Khelo India Winter Games- at ski resort of Gulmarg despite the threat from Coronovirus looming large.

Many people in J&K and beyond on Friday took to social media to question the wisdom behind holding such an event in which 800 to 900 sportspersons from across the country will be taking part in 30 events which include snow skiing, snow-boarding, cross-country, snow show, snow cycling and other snow-based events between March 7 and 11. They are being joined by several hundred hosts and other facilitators including functionaries of various government agencies and spots and cultural bodies.

Responding to a tweet of MoS for youth affairs and sports Kiren Rijiju that he was excited over being on the way to Srinagar to join people at the firstever “Khelo India Winter Games”, journalist and political commentator Majid Hyderi wrote on the micro-blogging site, “While Union health ministry asked people to avoid gatherings, the government is hosting a sports festival in Gulmarg...it is playing with the lives of people in Kashmir.”

Ironically, Mr Rijiju, who has already reached Gulmarg, in a tweet said, “Dear Athletes, many international & domestic sports events are getting postponed due to COVID19. Don’t get disheartened as precautionary steps are necessary for our health. Maintain your #fitness, keep practicing hard...will resume soon as things get normalised.”