Nisith Pramanik lauds efforts by Uttar Pradesh Government towards hosting the biggest ever Khelo India University Games

Rakesh Thapliyal 

Lucknow:Union Minister of State, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri. Nisith Pramanik, has lauded the efforts of the Uttar Pradesh Government towards hosting the biggest ever Khelo India University Games.

Shri. Pramanik made the remarks while on a visit to the different venues in Lucknow, a day after a spectacular Opening Ceremony was organized here at the B.B.D. University grounds.

Addressing the media at the B.B.D Badminton Academy, in the presence of Dr. Navneet Sehgal, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Sports, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Shri. Pramanik said, “First of all I want to congratulate the Uttar Pradesh Government for hosting the 3rd edition of the Khelo India University Games in a grand manner. I am sure all of you have witnessed the spectacular opening ceremony yesterday. For the first time close to 4700 athletes from 206 Universities, are participating in 21 sporting disciplines at the Khelo India University Games, which is an all time high participation. For the first time Water Sports has also been introduced to the Khelo India University Games, which will be held in Gorakhpur. Also for the first time, these Games are being held in multiple cities of a State. I firmly believe that the athletes from 206 Universities will outdo themselves at these Games and break many existing records and set new milestones.

Elaborating upon the larger Khelo India programme he said, “I also believe that the platform that these athletes are getting through the Khelo India University Games, will go a long way in realising the imagination and vision of the Hon. Prime Minister, which is to develop India into a sporting nation, a sporting hub. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the popular Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji as well as all the State Government officials involved, for the way they have come forward with so much enthusiasm to organise these games, which was evident with the splendid way in which they organised the opening ceremony.”

The Minister also provided details on the several new initiatives taken by the Ministry which were not there in the previous KIUG saying, “There are a lot of firsts in these Games. Along with a dedicated website, a dedicated app has also been launched. This will enable the athletes to get rid of paperwork and with the help of face-recognition technology, they will be able to take care of things like accommodation, entry etc. Also, with the help of a Digi-locker, athletes will be able to access their certificated immediately after the completion of the Games.”

Stressing on the importance of team effort the Hon. Minister shared, “You must have heard about the Hon. Prime Minister’s mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayaas.’ As you can see, these Games have been a joint effort by the Sports Ministry, Sports Authority of India, the Government of Uttar Pradesh as well as all the officials and support staff as well as all of you and the general public, who are supporting it with all enthusiasm. What better example is there of Sabka Prayaas or everybody’s efforts.”

The Khelo India University Games 2022 Uttar Pradesh, the third edition of India’s largest multi-sport competition, was officially declared open virtually, by the Hon. Prime Minister of India, Shri. Narendra Modi ji on May 25, 2023, in the midst of a 70-minute grand opening ceremony held in Lucknow, in the presence of the Hon. Chief Minister of the State, Yogi Adityanath. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Information and Broadcasting, Shri. Anurag Thakur joined the ceremony virtually.

Competitions however began at Greater Noida’s Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik (SVSP) stadium on May 23, 2023, with the Kabaddi group stage matches. The first gold medal of the event came today when the talented Aneesh Gowda of Christ University Bengaluru, won the 400m Freestyle event in Swimming at the SVSP stadium.