PM declares open 3rd edition of Khelo India University Games

Newdelhi:25/5/233:The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi declared open Khelo India University Games 2023 via video conferencing today. The games will witness the participation of over 4750 athletes from more than 200 Universities competing in 21 sports categories.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister congratulated everyone on the organization of Khelo India University Games 2023 and said that Uttar Pradesh has become a confluence of sporting talent today. The Prime Minister noted that the 4000 athletes that are taking part in the Khelo India University Games have come from different states and regions and especially welcomed them as a Member of Parliament from the state. He expressed delight that the closing ceremony of the event will take place in Varanasi which is his constituency. Observing the importance of organizing the third edition of the  Khelo India University Games when India is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Prime Minister said that the event has become an excellent medium to inculcate the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ along with team spirit. He said that athletes coming from different regions will interact with each other and also visit various places in Uttar Pradesh where the events are taking place. This, the Prime Minister said, will result in building a connect with such places, and expressed confidence that participating in the Khelo India Games University will be a cherished memory for all athletes. He also wished them huge success in the upcoming competitions.

The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction that about 30,000 athletes have participated in Khelo India Games so far. Out of which 1500 athletes are getting financial assistance. The budget for sports has seen a three-fold rise compared to what was there 9 years ago.  He said even the rural and remote areas are getting better sports infrastructure.

Talking about Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister talked about the expansion of sports facilities in Lucknow, the modernization of Sigra Stadium in Varanasi, and the creation of modern sporting facilities with an allocation of 400 crore rupees. He mentioned the synthetic hockey field at Lalpur, the multi-purpose hall at Veer Bahadur Singh Sports College in Gorakhpur, the synthetic hockey field in Meerut and the synthetic running track in Saharanpur.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the athletes are getting better competition exposure which is providing them more opportunities to assess and improve. This was the main reason behind starting Khelo India Games which have expanded to Khelo India University Games and Khelo India Winter Games.  This is bearing fruits and building up the confidence of our sportspersons and getting great results in international competition, he said.

.Background

The Prime Minister has laid enormous focus on developing a culture of sports in the country and encouraging youth to take up sports. Various schemes have been launched by the government to support budding sportsmen and efforts have been put in to strengthen the sports ecosystem in the country. The organization of the Khelo India University Games is another step in this direction.

This year, the third edition of the Khelo India University Games will be held from 25th May to 3rd June in Uttar Pradesh. These competitions will be organized in Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Gautam Buddha Nagar. The Games will witness the participation of over 4750 athletes from more than 200 Universities, who will be competing in 21 sports. The closing ceremony of the Games will be held in Varanasi on 3rd June. The mascot of the Games is named Jitu, which represents Swamp Deer (Barasingha) – the state animal of Uttar Pradesh.