Jaipur (Rajasthan)[India], November 24 (ANI): The Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025 acquired off to vibrant begin on the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium right here on Monday night. This is the fifth version of KIUG, held beneath the aegis of the Sports Authority of India in collaboration with the Rajasthan authorities, the State Sports Council, the Association of Indian Universities and with technical help from the nationwide sports activities federations. Poornima University is the host University, in line with a launch.
The November 24 to December 5 Games, to be held throughout seven cities throughout Rajasthan, will see a whopping 4448 athletes from 222 Universities compete in 23 medal sports activities. Kho-kho will probably be an illustration occasion and as per the Union Sports Ministry’s plans to advertise indigenous sports activities. Two hundred and ninety-six gold medals will probably be up for grabs.
The opening ceremony on the SMS stadium noticed a riot of colors. Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajanlal Sharma and declared KIUG 2025 open within the presence of Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, senior ministers, directors, SAI officers and followers.
‘As I stand right here, what I see isn’t just a crowd of athletes — I see the hopes of 1.4 billion Indians. You would be the sporting heroes of tomorrow. You are those who will carry the nation’s tricolour to podiums internationally. With this hope, I prolong my heartfelt due to all of the athletes collaborating on this occasion, to the organisers, to the ministers of the Rajasthan authorities, and to all colleagues related to sports activities administration,’ mentioned Mandaviya.
In the final version of the Khelo India University Games held throughout North-east India, Chandigarh University topped with 66 medals (28 golds). Lovely Professional University and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar completed No. 2 and three. Eight Games data had been created and all in athletics.
‘In each main sporting nation on the earth, universities are the expertise nurseries — and this variation has additionally begun in India. These Khelo India University Games will transfer additional within the route of strengthening these prospects. Lovely Professional University despatched 11 athletes to Tokyo 2020, and 24 to Paris Olympics 2024. Just think about: when 21% of your entire Indian contingent comes from a single college, then if each college within the nation makes use of its full potential, think about what we are able to obtain,’ mentioned Mandaviya.
Mandaviya added some extra statistics, ‘From DAV College, Jalandhar, 27 Olympians have emerged; from Delhi University, good gamers reached the Paris Olympics. What larger proof can there be that when universities produce Olympians, our path to changing into a world sporting superpower by 2047 turns into clear.’
‘Friends, at this second 4.5 crore (45 million) younger persons are finding out in several universities throughout the nation. For me, this isn’t simply knowledge — it’s the biggest energy of New India, its biggest confidence, and its biggest aggressive edge. If we faucet into this potential appropriately, it could actually make us a world sporting energy. Our universities are now not simply centres of studying; they’re now the strongest engines of the nation’s sporting revolution,’ mentioned Mandaviya.
Mandaviya added, ‘I agree that we’re the land of Takshashila and Nalanda Universities — however we’re additionally the nation of legends like Major Dhyan Chand, Milkha Singh, and Neeraj Chopra. Along with our tutorial excellence, we should now grow to be a nation that celebrates our sporting excellence as properly.
The opening ceremony was marked by pomp and grandeur. Two worldwide sportsperson – boxer Arundhati Chaudhary and compound archer Rajesh Chauhan – handed the Viksit Rajasthan sensible torch to Sharma and Mandaviya. The torch is solar-powered and has a built-in digital camera and it travelled the size and breadth of Rajasthan earlier than culminating its journey on the Sawai Mansingh Stadium this night.
Welcoming KIUG 2025 individuals, Rajasthan CM Sharma thanked the Union sports activities ministry for awarding the internet hosting rights of Khelo India University Games 2025 to Rajasthan.
‘It’s a matter of nice to be internet hosting the Games and wining the rights regardless of the robust competitions from varied States/UTs. I thank Dr Mandaviya for letting us take PM Modi’s imaginative and prescient for a younger India ahead,’ he mentioned.
Sharma added, ‘We are seeing the imaginative and prescient of PM Modi unfurl in entrance of our eyes. PM Modi noticed the expertise in our youth and Khelo India is that platform for athletes to show their expertise. Khelo India is an equal alternative platform and everybody can play and present their expertise. Dreams hold the fireplace burning and you’ve got come right here to problem the percentages and be taught from wins and losses.’ (ANI)