Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced the first edition of Khelo India University Games, which Odisha will host from February 22 to March 1 at KIIT University here, in presence of Union Ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal, Dharmendra Pradhan and Kiren Rijiju.
“I am truly delighted to announce that the first edition of the Khelo India University Games will be held in Bhubaneswar; a city which has gained the repute of being the Sports Capital of India. I commend the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Sports Authority of India for taking this initiative of having an annual sports event of this magnitude at the University level. I am sure the true spirit of sportsmanship will be showcased during this event. Odisha government and KIIT University will ensure all the participants will have a memorable experience during the event,” Naveen said.
The KIIT University is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure., he said, adding that “the participating universities will enjoy the hospitality here and also experience our rich culture, heritage and white sand beaches in Odisha.”
The event is being organised by Sports Authority of India (SAI), Association of Indian Universities, KIIT University as the host university, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the National Sports Federation (NSFs).
“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,” Rijiju said.
The event will see over 4000 athletes from 100 universities across India vying for top honours in 17 different disciplines namely archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, rugby and kabaddi.
“I am very delighted that the first edition of Khelo India University Games is being hosted in my home state. The people of Odisha are very passionate about sports and I am sure an event of this scale will inspire the future generation to take up sports as a career. These initiatives taken up by the Government under the leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi will definitely help mould the future of budding sports stars of India and I am confident these initiatives will help the country win more medals at the upcoming Olympic Games in 2024 and 2028,” said Dharmendra.
Sprinter Dutee Chand unveiled the inaugural edition’s logo and Games jersey. “A multidiscipline university games will be a great fixture in the annual sports calendar, and it will give new hope to those who want to excel in sports. I thank the Government of India and SAI for taking up this initiative,” she said.
The launch ceremony was also attended by Minister for Higher Education Arun Sahoo, Sports and Youth Services Tusharkanti Behera and Rajya Sabha member and KIIT University Founder Achyuta Samanta Top athletes and national hockey players too were present at the ceremony.
