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PM Modi launches inaugural Khelo India University Games
Inaugurating the Games from New Delhi through video-conferencing, Modi said with the launch of Khelo India University Games, India has entered the league of countries where university games are organized at this level.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday evening launched the first-ever Khelo India University Games in the historic city of Cuttack in Odisha calling it a historic moment for Indian sports.
Inaugurating the Games from New Delhi through video-conferencing, Modi said with the launch of Khelo India University Games, India has entered the league of countries where university games are organized at this level.
“It marks the next step in the country’s sporting revolution. In the coming few days, the goal is to win medals but even more to better your own performance. Your hard work here will take you, your families and your country’s dream ahead. You have torch bearers like Dutee Chand here to inspire you. This is the start of a new sports revolution in India,” he said, while declaring the 10-day-long event open.
As many as 3400 athletes from 159 universities across the country will vie for 207 gold, 207 silver, and 287 bronze medal across 17 disciplines, including rugby which is among the six-team events. Basketball, Fencing, Football, and Volleyball have begun a day earlier than the opening day. Most of the events will be held at different venues within the KIIT University Campus in Bhubaneswar. Badminton and table tennis will be held at JN Indoor Stadium in Cuttack while athletics will be held at the Kalinga Stadium.
Some of the top universities of the country including Panjab University, Guru Nanak Dev University, University of Delhi, University of Calicut, University of Calcutta, University of Mumbai, University of Kerala, LNIPE University, Gwalior, University of Madras, Jamia Millia Islamia University, Himachal Pradesh University, University of Jammu, will send their athletes for the Games.
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik who graced the inauguration event said it was a moment of great pride for the State to host the first edition of the Khelo India University Games.
“Some of the athletes will return with medals, some with experience and all with great memories from the Games. I welcome all of you to the sport-loving state of Odisha,” Patnaik said. In a separate message to the participating students, Patnaik said: “The student life is one of the most memorable period in life and university student life has its own charm.
Union minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju said the Khelo India Games has been declared an event of national importance.
“The Khelo India University Games is yet another empowering initiative of the Government of India that hopes to not only give a platform to young students to showcase their talent in sports, but in the long run, it will develop a culture to pursue sports at this level and eventually contribute to the ultimate goal of topping the medal tally in events like the Asian Games and Olympic Games,” he said.
Khelo India Programme was launched to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level. The programme is aimed to build a strong framework for all sports played in the country and establish India as a sporting nation. The first Khelo India School Games was started in 2018.
