Kiren Rijiju: We will organize BRICS Games during Khelo India Games 2021

The Indian government is confident about organizing the games next year.

India's Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has announced that BRICS Games in 2021 will be held during the same time and at same venues as of Khelo India Games.

He was attending a meeting of Sports Ministers of the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) on Tuesday and spoke about the importance of sport in improving the living standards and quality of life of citizens as well as of collaboration between BRICS nations in taking sport forward in the post COVID-19 era.

Kiren Rijiju remarked, "During India’s 2021 Chairmanship of the BRICS, Sports and Games will be one of the deliverables. The Government of India organises annual sports competitions under the Khelo India Scheme. As we find ways to get over COVID-19, we are hopeful of organizing Khelo India Youth Games and Khelo India University Games in 2021."

"BRICS Games 2021 will be held during the same time and at same venues as of Khelo India Games 2021 so that our players from various parts of the country who will gather for Khelo India Games will have the benefit and great opportunity of witnessing BRICS Games from close quarters. This will be a great morale booster and a motivational moment for them."

Kiren Rijiju also invited the BRICS nations to showcase their traditional indigenous games during the inaugural or closing ceremony of Khelo India Games 2021.

He said, "During Khelo India Youth Games 2021, we will invite BRICS member countries to showcase their traditional indigenous games during the inaugural or closing ceremony of Khelo India."

The coronavirus pandemic has affected various sporting events around the world and several tournaments and national camps have been cancelled in India as well. The women’s national wrestling camp, scheduled to be held in Lucknow from 1st September, postponed indefinitely on Saturday after few wrestlers declined to take part in it due to safety concerns.

National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) indefinitely postponed the training camp a few weeks back after a coach tested positive for coronavirus at the Dr Karni Singh shooting range in New Delhi.