PM Modi inaugurates the 6th Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 6th Khelo India Youth Games 2023 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on 19 January 2024. This is the first time that the national event is being organized in South India.

Organization of 6th Khelo India Youth Games:

• The sixth Khelo India Youth Games is being organized from 19 to 31 January 2024. More than 5,500 athletes from across the country are participating in the event.
• Mascot of the Khelo India Youth Games: Veera Mangai. Rani Velu Nachiyar, also known as Veera Mangai, was an Indian queen who fought against British colonialism.
• The game's logo features the figure of the poet Thiruvalluvar.
• A total of 26 sports disciplines are being competed in the 6th Khelo India Youth Games.
• In addition, it gives place to the traditional sports of the region. Which includes Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang Ta, Kabaddi, Yogasana etc. For the first time, Silambam, a game native to Tamil Nadu, is being included as a demonstration game.

Events in four cities:

• The 6th Khelo India Youth Games is being organized in four cities of Tamil Nadu – Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore.
• The objective of these games is to promote the culture of sportsmanship by showcasing the diverse sports disciplines of the country.
• The event is supported by over 1,000 referees and 1,200 volunteers.

Khelo India budget increase:

• The central government has allocated a budget of Rs 3389.32 crore for the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs in 2023. Previously, in the budget for 2022-23, Rs 2671.42 crore was allotted for the Youth Sports Ministry.

Total 12 Khelo India Games successfully organized till now:

• A total of 12 Khelo India Games have been successfully organized since 2018. These mainly include:
  • 5 Khelo India Youth Games
  • 3 Khelo India University Games
  • 3 Khelo India Winter Games
  • 1 Khelo India Para Games
• The Khelo India Games have been instrumental in identifying talent across the country. It has helped in enhancing India's performance in prestigious multi-event competitions.

About Khelo India Games:

• Khelo India Games is an initiative taken by Prime Minister Modi in the year 2018 to make all types of games accessible to the people in the country.
• Khelo India Scheme is the flagship central scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

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