AS Thakur launches Khelo India Para Games 2023 logo and mascot Ujjwala

The logo and mascot Ujjwala of the first-ever Khelo India Para Games 2023 were launched by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur and several eminent athletes and para athletes on 26 November 2023 in New Delhi.

• New Delhi gears up for the inaugural Khelo India Para Games, scheduled from December 10 to 17, 2023.

Khelo India Para Games 2023 mascot Ujjwala:

• The official mascot for Khelo India – Para Games 2023 is 'Ujjwala,' a lively sparrow introduced to symbolize the spirit and energy of the upcoming event.
• This little sparrow is a symbol of the pride of Delhi and its uniqueness reflects determination and empathy.
• As the mascot of Khelo India-Para Games 2023, Ujjwala is a reminder of the fact that strength comes in many forms and the human spirit is unbreakable.

Khelo India budget increase:

• For the last four years, the sanctioned budget for Khelo India was Rs 3,000 crore and for the next five years this budget has been increased to more than Rs 3,300 crore.
• A total of 11 Khelo India Games have been successfully organized since 2018. This comprises 5 editions of the Khelo India Youth Games along with 3 editions each of the Khelo India University Games and the Khelo India Winter Games.
• These games have been important in identifying talent across the country and have helped in enhancing India's performance in prestigious multi-event competitions.
• Through the first Khelo India Para Games, talented Para athletes aspiring to pursue a career in Para sports can be identified and assisted in bringing the desired results for the country.

First Para Games likely to see participation of more than 1400 participants:

• More than 1400 participants from 32 states and union territories, including the Services Sports Control Board are expected to participate in the first Khelo India Para Games.

First Para Games organized at three SAI Stadiums in New Delhi:

• These competitions will be held at three SAI stadiums of New Delhi -
  • IG Stadium,
  • Shooting range located at Tughlaqabad and
  • Will be held at JLN Stadium.

7 sports organized in the first Para Games:

• In the first program of Khelo India Para Games, a total of 7 sports competitions will be organized in three stadiums of Sports Authority of India. In the first Para Games, Para athletes will compete in 7 disciplines including Para Athletics, Para Shooting, Para Archery, Para Football, Para Badminton, Para Table Tennis and Para Weight Lifting to emerge victorious from their respective rivals.
• In the Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou, China in October 2023, Indian Para athletes performed unprecedentedly and finished fifth in the competition by winning a record 111 medals (29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze). However, in this Asian Para Games, China remained on top with a total of 521 medals (214 gold, 167 silver and 140 bronze).