Jan 31, 2023:
The 5th edition of Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) kicked off with a glittering ceremony at the Tatya Tope Nagar Stadium, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh on Monday evening.
The inaugural lamp was lit by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, and state Sports Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia to kick-start the 13-day sporting event. As per the schedule, around 6,000 athletes from across the country will compete in 27 sporting disciplines.
The KIYG will take place in 23 venues across the state, including Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Gwalior, Jabalpur Mandla, Balaghat, and Khargone, while the cycling event will take place in Delhi.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Mr Thakur said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made constant efforts to take sports forward in the country. The Prime Minister himself encourages the players by meeting them, he added.
He further said that these games have also given an opportunity to the children of poor families to move forward. Local sports and talents are now making a mark at the national and international level through these games. Mr. Thakur informed that in the next five years, a budget of 3200 crore will be given for Khelo India. The country’s sports budget has also been increased to two thousand crores.
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that there will be no shortage of funds in Madhya Pradesh to enhance the talent of sportspersons.
He informed that eleven sports academies have been established for 18 sports in the state. Mr Chouhan announced that 5 lakh rupees will be given to the players, who win the medals for the state.
Union Minister of State for Sports Nisith Pramanik and Arunachal Pradesh Sports Minister Mama Natung were also present.
