Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur addresses the closing ceremony of the sixth Khelo India Youth Games, in Chennai.
| Photo Credit: PTI
The sixth version of the Khelo India Youth Games-2023 held in 4 districts of Tamil Nadu for 13 days concluded on January 31 with Maharashtra securing 158 medals, the highest spot and Tamil Nadu, the host State and Haryana, completed second and third respectively.
Addressing a glittering closing ceremony in Chennai, Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur mentioned the Khelo India Games envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi supplied the youth a platform to showcase their expertise.
The Union Minister, who gave away the trophies to winners, mentioned: “With every Khelo India Youth Games, we have grown in stature. It is with immense pride I mention that 4454 young athletes across 26 competitive sports from 36 States/Union territories battled it out for glory, fueled by their athletic zeal and the unwavering spirit of sportsmanship. There was almost equal representation at the games with 2307 male athletes and 2147 female athletes competing.”
The Khelo India Games envisioned by the PM is the embodiment of his interest in harnessing the power of the youth and giving them a platform to showcase their expertise.
PM Modi has continuously supported the youth, be it attending the opening ceremony of the Khelo India Youth Games in Tamil Nadu throughout the 11-day Anusthan (self penance) main as much as the Ram Temple consecration or visiting Nashik for Youth Programmes throughout the identical time in order to inspire them, Mr. Thakur mentioned.
“His constant interaction with athletes before, during and after tournaments has been a key reason for their heightened confidence on the field,” he added.
Maharashtra completed in the highest place with a complete of 158 medals (57 gold, 48 silver, 53 bronze) whereas Tamil Nadu and Haryana took the 2nd and third positions respectively, bagging 98 medals (38 gold, 21 silver, 39 bronze) and 103 medals (35 gold, 22 silver, 46 bronze).
On the common-or-garden background of a number of athletes, Mr. Thakur mentioned Panchami Sonowal of Assam broke as many as three nationwide youth information in the 49kg weightlifting class. “She is the daughter of a tea seller in Assam.”
Similar is the case with regard to a quantity of others as nicely like Durga Singh of Bihar who ‘shattered the 1500m Games file.’ Weightlifter Jyoshna Sabar from an Odisha village, after successful bronze on the World Youth Championships in Albania final 12 months, has “shattered the national snatch record on her way to the gold medal in the 40kg category.”
“I congratulate Maharashtra for securing the top spot in the medal tally with 158 medals, and to the host, Tamil Nadu and Haryana, for finishing second and third, respectively. Let’s continue to build on the spirit and legacy of the Khelo India Games.”
The Union Minister conveyed his gratitude to the federal government of Tamil Nadu and stakeholders for the profitable conduct of the Games.
Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin mentioned the success of Khelo India Youth Games 2023 reaffirms the State’s dedication to sports activities and its functionality to efficiently organise and execute grand occasions of nationwide and worldwide significance.
“Over the past 13 days, our State has been proud to host over 5,400 plus talented athletes from across the country showcasing their sporting skills in various disciplines.” Tamil Nadu despatched the most important contingent ever for a bunch State because it had round 600 athletes collaborating in this version of the video games.
“This is the first time our Tamil Nadu stands in top three in the medal tally in the history of the Khelo India Youth Games.” In June 2023, Chief Minister M.Okay. Stalin invited Manipur athletes to coach in Tamil Nadu.
“About 15 fencing athletes came for the training in Tamil Nadu. They stayed here for more than a month…we are proud that two of them, Huiningshumbam Bala Chanu and Sanjenbam Bicky, have won the bronze medals for Manipur in this edition of Khelo India Youth Games,” he mentioned.
On the event, the Tamil Nadu Sports Minister introduced the launch of “Kalaignar Sports Kit” scheme in 12,000 village panchayats. “I will be launching the scheme in Tiruchirappalli on February 7.” Under the scheme the youth will likely be supplied sports activities gear.
Late DMK president and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi is addressed as ‘Kalaignar.’
Mr. Udhayanidhi mentioned the State’s Tamil Nadu Champions Foundation, serves as an inspiration to gifted athletes, providing monetary help to those that want it essentially the most.
“It was with immense pride I announce that athletes sponsored by the Tamil Nadu Champions Foundation have secured a total of eight medals in the Khelo India Youth Games and five out of the eight medals are gold medals.”
At the closing ceremony, Lok Sabha member Dayanidhi Maran, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P.Okay. Sekar Babu and prime officers took half. Prime Minister Modi in the presence of Chief Minister Stalin inaugurated the Games on January 19.
