हिंदी
For the first time in Khelo India Youth Games 2021, Five traditional sports have been included – Anurag Thakur
Khelo India Youth Games has emerged as an important platform for National and International level athletes – Anurag Thakur
Chandigarh, June 7 :- Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur said that just as Haryana has prepared modern sports infrastructure to promote sports, similarly other states should also follow the same pattern and set up sports infrastructure so that both Center and States can jointly realize the mission of promoting sports.
The Union Minister said this as he especially visited Panchkula today to watch the final match of girls Kabaddi between the states of Haryana and Maharashtra during the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games-2021.
He interacted with the players of both teams and encouraged them to perform well in the games. Additional Chief Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Haryana, Sh. Mahavir Singh and Director, Sports Department, Sh. Pankaj Nain also remained present.
Sh. Anurag Thakur said that these games are being organized in Haryana, the state that has won the most medals in the Olympics. He added that in the history of Khelo India, the largest contingent of 8500 players, technical teams, and coaches are visiting Haryana to participate in the fourth edition of this grand sports festival. The way spectators are showing great enthusiasm for these games certainly highlights the popularity of Khelo India Youth Games, he added.
Sh. Anurag Thakur said that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi has dreamt of taking India forward in the field of sports and today Khelo India Youth Games has become a significant part of this mission.
He said that in these ongoing games being held in Panchkula, a large number of players have come from 36 States and Union Territories, who are showcasing their talent in 25 sports, including five traditional sports. If India has to progress in sports, then along with Olympic Games, traditional sports will also have to be promoted. Realizing the same, this time, five traditional games like Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta, Mallakhamb and Yogasana have also been included in Khelo India Youth Games – 2021, said Sh. Anurag Thakur.
Khelo India Youth Games has emerged as a big platform
The Union Minister said that Khelo India Youth Games has emerged as a big platform, due to which young players have got a chance to become stars and in the future, these players will work to bring laurels to the country and the state by winning medals in Olympics.
He said that preparations have already started for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics. Some office-bearers of the Mission Olympic Committee are present in these games, who will select the players and will further work on training them for National and International Level games.
Sh. Anurag Thakur said that even during the Pandemic, the Central Government has done the work of providing training and other facilities to the players and as a result of that the country has received seven medals in Olympics, 19 medals in Paralympics, and 16 medals in Deaflympics. Also by winning the Thomas Cup, the players have made a mark on the world map.
