Khelo India Youth Games, a flagship initiative of the Government of India, has emerged as an important platform for nurturing young sporting talent across the country. The 2023 edition promises to be a spectacle of athleticism, camaraderie and the pursuit of excellence, bringing together young athletes from diverse backgrounds to showcase their skills on the national stage.
Over the past few years, Indian youth have got a new platform to showcase their sporting talent – the Khelo India initiative. Khelo India, which translates to ‘Let India Play’, was proposed by the Government of India in 2017 to revive India’s sports culture by connecting with children at the grassroots level.
The initiative also focused on building better sports infrastructure and academies across the country for various sports.
Under this movement, the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), Khelo India University Games (KIUG) and Khelo India Winter Games were established as annual national sports competitions where youth represented their states and universities respectively. Showcased their skills and competed for medals.
Some of the big names competing in these events include top sprinter Dutee Chand and archers Parth Salunkhe and Komalika Bari.
When were the first Khelo India Games held?
This initiative started with the Khelo India School Games held in New Delhi in 2018. A major boost came later that year when the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) joined the initiative and as a result, the Khelo India School Games were renamed the Khelo India Youth Games 2019 in Pune.
The first Khelo India University Games was hosted at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Odisha in 2020.
Three editions of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) have been held in Leh, Ladakh and Gulmarg in Kashmir. The first edition of the Khelo India Winter Games was organized in 2020.
How many sports are played in the Khelo India Games?
The Khelo India Youth Games 2018 begins with 18 sports – athletics, archery, badminton, basketball, boxing, football, gymnastics, hockey, judo, kabaddi, kho-kho, wrestling, weightlifting, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, swimming and shooting.
In 2020, when KIYG was held in Guwahati, Assam, it had 20 sports. For the 2021 edition, five more sports – Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-ta, Mallakhamb and Yogasana – were added to the programme, taking the list to 25. In 2022, water sports – with disciplines such as canoeing, kayaking and rowing – were added to the list to take the number to 27.
Competitions at KIYG are held in under-17 and under-21 categories for both boys and girls.
The inaugural KIUG also included 18 sports – but included fencing and rugby instead of gymnastics and kho kho from the KIYG programme. The second edition of the Khelo India University Games featured 20 sports – including two indigenous sports, Yogasana and Mallakhambha.
For the Khelo India Winter Games, the list of sports includes snow baseball, snow skiing, mountaineering, ice skating, ice hockey, snow rugby, ice stock and snowshoe running.
How are participants selected for the Khelo India Games?
Emerging sporting talent is identified through annual grassroots and national-level competitions. Participants for the Khelo India University Games are selected based on the World University Games criteria.
Sports talents are developed through Khelo India e-Khel Pathshala, Khelo India Centres, Khelo India State Centers of Excellence (KISCE), Khelo India Recognized Academies and other training establishments identified by the Scheme.
Importance of Khelo India Youth Games
- Promoting Sports Culture: Khelo India was launched with a vision to develop a strong sports culture in India, encouraging active participation from the grassroots level.
- Empowering Youth: This initiative aims to empower the youth through sports by promoting the spirit of competition, discipline and teamwork.
- Various Sports Disciplines: The Khelo India Youth Games covers a wide range of sporting disciplines, ensuring inclusivity and providing a platform for talent across various sports.
- Talent Show: Young athletes from different states and union territories compete at the national level, showcasing their strength and potential.
- Nurturing Future Champions: The Games serve as a breeding ground for future sporting champions, identifying and nurturing talent who can potentially represent India on the international stage.
- Infrastructure Development: Hosting the Games encourages the development of sports infrastructure in the host city, leaving a lasting legacy for future athletes.
- Multi-City Program: The 2023 edition will be held in multiple cities, spreading the impact of the Games across all regions and providing access to a wider group of participants.
- Increased Participation: The anticipated increased participation symbolizes the growing popularity and success of the Khelo India initiative, which fosters a competitive spirit among the youth.
- Encouraging Grassroots Development: Khelo India is beyond competition; It encourages grassroots development by identifying talent at the school and college levels.
- Scholarships and Recognition: Those who excel often receive scholarships, recognition, and training opportunities that inspire them to excel in their chosen sport.
- National Inspiration: The Khelo India Youth Games serve as a source of inspiration for young aspiring athletes, inspiring them to dream big and strive for success in the sporting field.
- Induced Change: By promoting sports at the grassroots level, Khelo India plays an important role in creating a healthier, more active and dynamic youth population.
Conclusion
As the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 begins, it promises to be a celebration of the athleticism, determination and unwavering spirit of India’s youth. By promoting the culture of sports and providing a platform for emerging talent, Khelo India is playing a vital role in shaping the future of sports in the country. The journey towards sporting excellence begins here, where dreams are nurtured and champions are created.
FAQs
Q.1 Khelo India Para Games 2023 are held in which state?
Ans: New Delhi (7 – 10 December 2023-).
Q.2 In which year was the Khelo India program started?
Ans: 2018.
Q.3 Who launched the Khelo India app?
Ans: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
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