Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates Khelo India Youth Games 2023 in Chennai

Chennai: In a spectacular opening ceremony, Prime Minister Narendra Modi kickstarted the 13th Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, today. Amidst the vibrant cultural festivities, the Prime Minister also launched and laid the foundation stone for broadcasting sector projects, amounting to approximately Rs 250 crores. The inauguration included the lighting of the Games’ torch, symbolizing the commencement of the sporting extravaganza.

Addressing the audience, Prime Minister Modi extended a warm welcome to athletes and sports enthusiasts from across the nation, emphasizing that the event marks a fantastic beginning for the year 2024. He hailed the gathering as a representation of the dynamic energy of young India, propelling the country to new heights in the realm of sports. The Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to all participants, highlighting the event’s role in showcasing the unity encapsulated by “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.”

As part of the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi unveiled several projects in the broadcasting sector, emphasizing their importance. Notable projects include the relaunch of DD Podhigai as DD Tamil, 12 Akashvani FM projects across 8 States, and the establishment of 4 DD transmitters in Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for 26 new FM transmitter projects in 12 States.

Underlining the significance of hosting major sporting events in India, Prime Minister Modi stressed the Khelo India Abhiyan’s role in identifying talent at the grassroots level. He mentioned various Khelo India events, including Khelo India Games, Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India University Games, Khelo India Winter Games, and Khelo India Para Games, as platforms for nurturing talent and fostering a competitive spirit.

The Khelo India Youth Games will witness the participation of athletes from all 36 states and union territories, engaging in sports like archery, athletics, badminton, squash, and the traditional Tamil martial art, Silambam. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the cultural richness of Tamil Nadu’s cities – Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, and Coimbatore – hosting the games. He emphasized the diverse experiences each city offers, from the captivating beaches of Chennai to the magnificent temples of Madurai.

Celebrating women power, Prime Minister Modi expressed happiness at VeeraMangai Velu Nachiyar being chosen as the mascot for this edition of the games. He recognized her as a symbol of women’s strength and highlighted the government’s continuous efforts to empower sportswomen through initiatives like women’s leagues and support programs.

Reflecting on India’s sporting achievements post-2014, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the country’s success at the Tokyo Olympics, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, and Para Games. He attributed this success to a decade-long transformation in the sports ecosystem, supported by initiatives like the Khelo India campaign and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

Expressing the government’s commitment to providing international exposure to Indian athletes, Prime Minister Modi announced plans to host the Youth Olympics in 2029 and the Olympic Games in 2036 in India. He emphasized the sports industry’s potential as a significant economic contributor and highlighted efforts to create manufacturing clusters for sports equipment across the country.

In closing, Prime Minister Modi declared, “Today, we are not waiting for youth to come to sports; we are taking sports to youth.” He reiterated the transformative impact of campaigns like Khelo India, providing opportunities for youth from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in sports-related sectors.

The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s focus on developing sports-related sectors, including sports science, innovation, coaching, psychology, and nutrition. He noted the creation of India’s first National Sports University, over 300 prestigious academies under the Khelo India campaign, and more than 1,000 Khelo India centers. Additionally, sports have been integrated into the main curriculum under the new National Education Policy.

Closing with optimism, Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in India’s youth, their determination, mental strength, and desire to achieve greatness. He encouraged them to set ambitious goals, declaring the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 officially open.