Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the first Khelo India University Games in Odisha via video conferencing.
Addressing on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that KIUG is not just a tournament but it is the beginning of the next phase of the sports movement in India.
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“Here you are not only competing with each other, but also with yourself,” Modi said.
“I am connected with you through technology, but I can experience the atmosphere the enthusiasm, the passion and the energy there,” Modi added.
“The first Khelo India University Games in India’s history are starting today in Odisha. This is a historic moment in India’s sports history,” he added.
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“It is also a big step for the future of India’s sports”, the Prime Minister further said.
Prime Minister added that Khelo India campaign has played an important role in increasing interest towards sports and recognition of young talent in every corner of the country.
“When the Khelo India Games started in the year 2018, 3500 players took part in it. But in just three years the number of players has almost doubled to more than 6 thousand,” Modi further said.
“This year, Khelo India Schools Games has broken 80 records. Out of which 56 records have been in the names of our daughters, our daughters have won, our daughters have done wonders,” Modi further said.
“The important thing is that the talent coming up under this campaign is not from the big city, but from small towns,” he added.
PM Modi mentioned that since the past 5-6 years sincere efforts have been made for the promotion and participation of sports in India.
“Transparency is being promoted in the identification of talent, training and selection process,” he added.
“These are the players who are likely to take part in the Tokyo Olympics,” Modi said.
“The players benefiting from this scheme have given more than 200 medals to the country in several sporting events such as Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, Asian Para Games, Youth Olympics,” he added.
“In the coming days, the goal is to win more than 200 Gold medals, and more importantly to improve your own performance and to give new heights to your own potential,” the PM reiterated.