- Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) will host the inaugural Khelo India University Games.
- The 9- day event, starting from 22 February, is a sporting talent identification event.
- The Khelo India University Games will host more than 4,000 young athletes from 100 universities for top honors in 17 disciplines.
Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) will host the inaugural Khelo India University Games starting from 22 February. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made the announcement at the launching ceremony of the event in the state capital on Monday.
-- Advertisement --Logo, Mascot, Jersey & Schedule of the 1st Khelo India University Games 2020 launched yesterday at Bhubaneswar, Odisha by Shri @KirenRijiju, Shri @Naveen_Odisha, Shri @dpradhanbjp, @DrRPNishank, @dr_arunsahoo, Shri @btushar02 & Shri @achyuta_samanta. #KheloIndia #KIUG2020 pic.twitter.com/3qIMx5puJv
— Dept of Sports MYAS (@IndiaSports) January 7, 2020
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“I am truly delighted to announce that the first edition of the Khelo India University Games will be held in Bhubaneswar,” Naveen Patnaik said during the jersey and logo unveiling.
He added that Bhubaneswar is a city which has gained the reputation of being the Sports Capital of India.
Patnaik also lauded the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) efforts in the initiative.
Both the state government and KIIT University will ensure all the part-taking athletes will have a memorable experience in the event. Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju was also present at the launching event.
"Universities & schools, these are the platforms where we are going to have the world champions of the future."
Shri @KirenRijiju sharing his vision on @IndiaSports
at the jersey & logo launch of the 1st edition of #KheloIndiaUniversityGames (to be held this year). pic.twitter.com/jPQD8heVlI— Dept of Sports MYAS (@IndiaSports) January 7, 2020
He said, “The Khelo India University Games is yet another empowering initiative of 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”.
The Khelo India Games declared as events of National importance
The Khelo India University games are a part of the larger Khelo India Games.
Other events under it are Khelo India School Games, Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India Games for differently-abled persons and the Khelo India Games for Indigenous Sports.
The Government of India has declared all of the events of National Importance.
The Khelo India University Games will host more than 4,000 young athletes from 100 universities for top honours. The athletes will compete in 17 disciplines- archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, swimming, weight-lifting, wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, rugby and kabaddi.
