Khelo India Youth Games 2019 Officially Begins

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the 12-day event in Pune; Nearly 9,000 athletes from all parts of the country to participate.

Khelo India is now bigger and better in its second edition, after being re-christened Khelo India Youth Games and now covering 18 different disciplines in different age groups.

Thank you sir!

Your vision of a healthier India and your mantra of “Jo Khelega, woh Khilega” motivates us to keep working towards a fitter, healthier #NewIndia.#5MinuteAur#KheloIndia https://t.co/uwaW4qlNmp

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) January 9, 2019

The Khelo India Youth Games 2019 was declared open in Pune on Wednesday in the presence of a host of sports personalities including double Olympic medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore received the virtual torch before Rathore joined athletes in taking the pledge as the Games were declared open at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message was read out and displayed on the occasion. Several sportspersons including Sushil Kumar, Olympian hockey winners Gurbux Singh and Ajit Pal Singh, badminton legend P Gopichand, shooter Gagan Narang, gymnasts Dipa Karmakar and legendary woman footballer Bem Bem Devi were present.

Thrilled to have launched #KheloIndia 2019 in Pune.

Heartfelt thanks to @Dev_Fadnavis Ji & @TawdeVinod Ji for the splendid effort

PM @narendramodi Ji’s vision continually drives @KheloIndia

Wishing India’s young champs all the best for the next ten days of #KheloIndia! pic.twitter.com/TkEODgM7Bz

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) January 9, 2019

Also Read: Khelo India Youth Games 2019 Medals

Khelo India Youth Games 2019

The prestigious event brings many arms of Indian sport like the Indian Olympic Association, Sports Authority of India, National Sports Federations, Association of Indian Universities and School Games Federation of India together under one platform.

The 6000-plus athletes will reflect the diversity of the nation’s youth and showcase their dreams, hopes and desire to make India shine on global platforms. They will not only come from urban and rural areas but also span a wide range of 10 to 21 years.

I am thankful to Hon PM @narendramodi ji and Union Minister @Ra_THORe ji for giving Pune and Maharashtra this opportunity to host one of the greatest sports extravaganza.
I am sure that future players of India will be born out of these games!#KheloIndia #KheloIndia2019 pic.twitter.com/7wsRlXy6yD

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 9, 2019

Youth Olympics gold medallists shooters Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary and weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga will be among the cream of India’s young sporting talent competing at the Khelo India Youth ames.

Attended the spectacular opening ceremony of @kheloindia last night. A brilliant initiative by @IndiaSports and @Media_SAI to encourage young India to pursue sports.
Shout out to @Ra_THORe an ideal Sports Minister, who leads by example.#KheloIndia #5MinuteAur pic.twitter.com/pN0A0DKRCX

— Rahi Sarnobat OLY (@SarnobatRahi) January 10, 2019

The athletes will compete in 18 different disciplines, including a variety of individual and team sport, disciplines in which India has a tradition of excellence and traditional games like Kabaddi and Kho-Kho. Like Khelo India School Games, Khelo India Youth Games will be the beacon that will proclaim India’s unity in diversity, by bringing together diverse stakeholders.

Khelo India Youth Games Schedule

Information Source: Latestly.com

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Bhawna Kothari

Lover of cultures, varied colors, and underdogs, Bhawna is a by-heart and professional playwright. Hailing from a journalism & communication background, she incorporates a careful study at both flips of the coin which is essentially required to be analytical in thoughts and words. Actively abreast of the current affairs around the globe, she likes knowing and bringing into light the unexplored. Problem solving via the power of content is what inspires her and hence KreedOn, a platform created for the betterment of sports ecosystem in India, is now her happy workplace!