Khelo India Youth Games 2019 to have 10,000 participants across two age categories. The second edition of the Games will take place at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune from January 9-20.
After the roaring success of the inaugural edition of the Khelo India School Games, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports along with Star Sports launched the Khelo India Youth Games. The event will be taking place in Maharashtra in 2019.
Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore launched the jersey for the second edition of Khelo India, which is reformed as Khelo India Youth Games for 2019.
Alongside Rathore, other star Indian athletes present were Manu Bhaker, Jeremy Lalrinnunga, Saurabh Chaudhary, Lakshya Sen, Esha Singh, Tababi Devi and Srihari Natraj.
The launch event was also a platform to kick-start a #5MinuteAur campaign, appealing and encouraging India to play for 5 more minutes. The inaugural edition of the Khelo India had a message called, “Kheloge, Koodoge, Banoge Lajawaab”, that encouraged kids to play every day – an effort to change the age-old beliefs.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune from 9th to 20th January 2019. Khelo India Youth Games will see the participation of over 10,000 youngsters from 29 states and 7 Union Territories in the U-17 and U-21 age categories.
Last year around 3500 school children had participated in the event. In this edition of Khelo India Youth Games, university players will also be actively participating.
Elated to have attended the Jersey Launch of @KheloIndia Youth Games Maharashtra 2019.
This year, @kheloindia School Games have grown into Khelo India Youth Games, & will witness 3 times the participation
Maharashtra won the bid to host the prestigious 2019 edition of KIYG. pic.twitter.com/JArHjFxtlH
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) December 9, 2018
Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore stated that how his Ministry is trying to develop a sports system that connects local talents to global podiums. He also revealed that the government will also involve private organizations to supplement its efforts to groom the talents in various disciplines.
Addressing at the event, Rathore said, “The success of Khelo India School Games is a testimony to the hunger and multitude of sporting talent in India.”
“Buoyed by the terrific response for Khelo India School Games and with an aim to increase participation in sports across all age groups, we have not just added two sports this year but have also increased the age limit to allow even more enthusiasts to participate and flourish”, added Rathore.
Inclusion of Universities in @KheloIndia Youth Games Maharashtra 2019 will magnify the platform’s potential.
1500 athletes frm KISG are receiving scholarship as of now.
With 3 times the participation, Khelo India platform & Indian sports will be enhanced like never before!
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) December 9, 2018
He also stated, “The ‘ 5-minute aur’ campaign for the Khelo India Youth Games 2019 to be hosted in Pune, Maharashtra is a reflection of the immense strides we’ve made and the journey that lies in front of us to make India a truly sporting nation. We hope it will inspire India to work towards incorporating sports as a way of life.”
Also, Star India has expanded the broadcast coverage for the second edition of Khelo India. The coverage of the upcoming season will include a live telecast of all 18 disciplines of both age groups, and in five languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and English).
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