'Khelo India Scheme has been a game-changer for Indian sports,' says Anurag Thakur

Published at :November 24, 2023 at 5:22 PM

Modified at :January 14, 2024 at 1:15 AM

(Courtesy : DT Next)

Para Games will feature 1350 athletes from 32 states and UTs competing in seven disciplines.

With a vision to spot talent and provide a platform for young and aspiring para-athletes to shine, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Hon’ble Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, announced the inaugural Khelo India Para Games to be held in New Delhi from December 10th to 17th.

In a video message, Thakur proclaimed, “I am proud to announce the inaugural Khelo India Para Games, scheduled from December 10th to 17th, set to take place across various venues in New Delhi. Seven disciplines will unfold across three SAI (Sports Authority of India) Stadiums.”

This announcement marks a significant stride in the government’s drive to cultivate para-sports in the nation. The event aims to spot talented para-athletes who will receive robust support from SAI and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to further enhance their skills.

An estimated 1,350 participants from 32 states, union territories, and the Services Sports Control Board are anticipated to partake in the maiden Khelo India Para Games. The event will showcase para-athletes competing in seven disciplines, including para-athletics, para shooting, para archery, para football, para-badminton, para table tennis, and para weightlifting. These events will span across three SAI stadiums: the IG Stadium, the Shooting Range in Tughlaqabad, and the JLN Stadium.

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Eminent stars from the recent Hangzhou Asian Para Games, such as Sheetal Devi, Bhavina Patel, Ekta Bhyan, Neeraj Yadav, Singhraj, Manish, Sonal, Rakesh Kumar, Sarita, among others, are anticipated to represent their respective states in the inaugural Khelo India Para Games.

Commending the exceptional efforts of Indian para-athletes who clinched an unprecedented 111 medals at the recently concluded Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, Thakur stressed that the Khelo India Para Games will strive for consistency by becoming an annual event. “Just weeks ago, our para-athletes made history by securing an unprecedented 111 medals at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, the highest tally for the country in any major international multi-sport event.

Our foremost agenda now is to maintain continuity in the Para Games and foster further development in Paralympic sports. The inaugural Khelo India Para Games is a significant step towards realizing the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji.”

Since 2018, a total of 11 Khelo India Games have been successfully organized, including 5 Khelo India Youth Games, 3 Khelo India University Games, and 3 Khelo India Winter Games. Thakur highlighted that these Games have played a pivotal role in spotting talent nationwide and contributed to India’s performance in prestigious multi-discipline events.

“The Khelo India Scheme has been a game-changer for Indian sports. The Khelo India Games, with 11 editions held since 2018 – 5 Khelo India Youth Games, 3 Khelo India University Games, and 3 Khelo India Winter Games – have been instrumental in identifying nearly 1000 talented athletes. Many of them have represented India at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympic Games. I extend my best wishes to the para-athletes participating in the upcoming Games,” expressed Thakur.

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