Anurag Singh Thakur Launched Khelo India University Games In Guwahati

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated the Khelo India University games in Guwahati. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, addressed Khelo India University Games being held across the seven states in the Northeast via a video message.

PM Modi on Shifting Parental Attitudes

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the shift in parental attitudes, noting, previously, parents hesitated to involve their children in sports activities, fearing it would distract from academics.
• PM Modi noted the mascot of the Khelo India University Games, i.e. Ashtalakshmi in the shape of a butterfly, symbolizing the Northeast’s aspirations taking flight.

Words of Encouragement

• Conveying his best wishes to athletes, the Prime Minister complimented them for creating a grand image of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ in Guwahati.
• He emphasized the importance of playing wholeheartedly, fearlessly, and learning from setbacks.

Nationwide Sporting Initiatives

• Prime Minister Modi highlighted various nationwide sports initiatives, including Khelo India Winter Games in Ladakh and Khelo India Youth Games in Tamil Nadu.
• He commended the efforts of state governments, particularly the Assam government, in promoting sports and providing opportunities for youth.

Evolving Sports Culture

• Prime Minister Modi emphasized the changing societal perceptions towards sports, with parents now taking pride in their children’s sporting achievements.
• He stressed the importance of celebrating athletes’ achievements and honoring their contributions to sports.

Creating Opportunities for Youth

• Prime Minister Modi highlighted the government’s efforts in creating a conducive environment for athletes, including record budget allocations for sports.

Global Sporting Success

• Modi celebrated India’s success in global sporting events, citing achievements in tournaments like the World University Games and the Asian Games.

Values through Sports

• Reflecting on the values instilled through sports, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of temperament, leadership, teamwork, and resilience.

Ambitious Plans for Khelo India University Games 2023

• Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur announced that the upcoming 4th edition of the Khelo India University Games in 2023 will serve as an exhilarating platform for 4544 athletes representing diverse regions of India.
• They will compete across 18 venues situated in the northeastern states, often referred to as our Ashtalakshmi, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim, Nagaland, and Tripura.
• Thakur further mentioned that this expansive event will encompass 20 sports disciplines, spanning from athletics, rugby, swimming, and badminton to hockey and football, among others.