The Khelo India University Games 2021 were declared open by the Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu in Bengaluru on Sunday. Speaking on the occasion, 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. He 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.
Naidu 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 Narendra Modi 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. He 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, he added.
Welcoming nearly 4000 athletes to India’s tech capital Bengaluru, the Chief Minister of Karnataka Basavaraj Bommai expressed, “It is our pleasure and privilege to host Khelo India University Games 2021 in Bengaluru.
Governor of Karnataka Thaawar Chand Gehlot; Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur; Minister of State, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Nisith Pramanik; Secretary Sports Smt Sujata Chaturvedi were among those present on the occasion.
