Khelo India University Games 2021 kick off with a glitzy opening ceremony
The Khelo India University Games 2021 were declared open by the Vice President of India Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu in Bengaluru today. The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi shared his message at the inauguration of the Khelo India University Games virtually during the inaugural ceremony.
Governor of Karnataka Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot; Chief Minister Shri Basavaraj Bommai; Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur; Minister of State, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Nisith Pramanik; Secretary Sports Smt Sujata Chaturvedi were among those present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President , Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu emphasised the need to encourage sporting activity upto village level, he called for developing the necessary sports infrastructure at the grassroots level, with concerted efforts of the centre, state and local bodies. Together, these will take the Indian sporting potential to new heights, he added. The Vice President also called for awarding some extra marks to sportspersons in college admissions and promotions in various departments. “Incentives like this will go a long way in encouraging the sports in the country,” he said.
The Vice President gave a call to return to our roots and asked all stakeholders to give top priority to our indigenous and rural sports. He expressed happiness over the fact that this edition of Khelo India would feature 20 sports disciplines with indigenous sports like Yogasana and Mallakhamba introduced for the first time. “This is very important in order to preserve and promote our rural and indigenous games which are rooted in tradition and are a part of our cultural heritage,” he said
In his message, the Prime Minister said that Bengaluru symbolizes the youthful enthusiasm of the country and is pride of the professionals. He said that it is significant that a confluence of startups and sports is happening here. “Holding of the Khelo India University Games in Bengaluru will add to the energy of this beautiful city.”, he said. The Prime Minister saluted the resolve of the organizers as organization of the Games amidst the challenges of the pandemic epitomizes their determination and passion. This youthful passion is driving New India in every field with new momentum, the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister underlined the importance of team spirit as the first mantra of success. “This team spirit we get to learn from sports. You will experience it directly in the Khelo India University Games. This team spirit also gives us a new way of looking at life”, the Prime Minister said. Similarly, holistic approach and 100 percent dedication are the key requirements of success in sports. Strengths and learnings from the sports field also takes one forward in life. “Sports, in real sense, is the genuine support system of life”, Shri Modi emphasized. The Prime Minister also drew similarities between sports and life with regards to various aspects such as passion, challenges, learning from defeat, integrity and ability to live in the moment. “Wearing the victory well and learning from defeat is an important art that we learn in the sports field”, he said.
