Khelo India Games to be Held in Telangana

Telangana will host the 8th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games in December this year. Competitions will be held across Hyderabad, Warangal, Karimnagar and Mahabubnagar in 25 sports disciplines. More than 6,000 young athletes from across the country are expected to participate. As the host state, Telangana can propose one local sport, while another new sport will also be included in the event.

The Central Government has released Rs. 22 crore for conducting the games. The event will be organised in coordination with the Telangana government, Sports Authority of India, National Sports Federations, School Games Federation of India, CBSE and other committees. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy welcomed the decision to allot the games to Telangana and said the Khelo India programme is helping identify and support sporting talent from remote parts of the country.

Kishan Reddy said Telangana has already received nearly Rs. 30 crore under the Khelo India scheme for developing sports infrastructure. The state has also established 33 Khelo India Centres. He highlighted initiatives such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, Assistance to National Sports Federations and SAI programmes, which provide athletes with training, infrastructure and opportunities to gain international experience.

Meanwhile, the ‘Khel Ki Baat, PM Ke Saath’ Khelo India Samvaad will be organised nationwide on August 27 ahead of National Sports Day on August 29. The programme will be conducted in more than 1,500 colleges, with two colleges selected from each district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact virtually with young athletes and discuss sports, fitness and youth participation in nation-building.