Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025 launched; Sports minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya lauds inclusion of new sports 

In a grand event held in Jaipur’s iconic Amer Fort, the official logo, mascots, torch, jerseys and anthem for the 5th edition of Khelo India University Games were unveiled

Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Rajasthan, reveals Khamma-Ghani the official mascots of the 5th Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025 on Wednesday in Jaipur. 

Rakesh Thapliyal

Jaipur: In a grand event at the historical Amer Fort in Jaipur on Wednesday, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), in association with the Government of Rajasthan and the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC), launched the official logo, mascots, torch, jerseys and anthem for the Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025 (KIUG Rajasthan 2025).

The Games’ mascots, Khamma and Ghani, were unveiled by the Hon’ble Rajasthan sports minister Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. The mascots are inspired by the state’s official animal — the camel — and the traditional greeting “Khamma Ghani”. They embody Rajasthan’s warmth, resilience and hospitality, welcoming athletes from every corner of India.

The Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025, scheduled to take place from 24 November to 5 December 2025, will be held across seven cities — Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Ajmer, Bharatpur and Bikaner. This marks the first time Rajasthan will host the Khelo India University Games, a flagship event of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports that showcases India’s finest university athletes.

Over 7,000 athletes from nearly 200 universities will compete in 24 disciplines, including 23 medal sports and one demonstration event. New inclusions this year are canoeing, kayaking, cycling, and beach volleyball — reflecting the growing diversity and ambition of Indian university sport.

In a message, the Hon’ble Union minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, said: “In keeping with our promise to create more opportunities for athletes from different sports, I am happy to see a bigger and fuller games programme. This year, we introduced two new Khelo India events – the Beach Games in Diu and the Water Sports Festival at the Dal Lake in Srinagar. The addition of canoeing and kayaking in KIUG is a classic example of continuity and providing more opportunities to those athletes who want to excel in this sport. Anywhere in the world, beach volleyball is the most attractive event and I am sure sports fans in Rajasthan will enjoy this sport very much.”

Dr Mandaviya added: “Athletes at the University level are probably at the peak of their physical prowess. Worldwide, champions emerge from Universities and we want to empower Universities in a way that they not only produce good students but quality athletes who can serve the nation in global events. As we grow as a sporting nation and want to host big-ticket events like the Olympics, Khelo India University Games are a vital cog in our sporting wheel. I wish every athlete to play fair and give their best.”

Rajasthan’s Heritage Inspires the Games’ Visual Identity

The newly unveiled logo captures the very soul of Rajasthan:

• Hawa Mahal represents regal grace and architectural splendour

• Ranthambore Fort stands tall for courage, pride and timeless strength

• Windmills symbolise the state’s forward vision and focus on sustainability

• Sand Dunes reflect the vast beauty and desert landscape of the state

Together, these elements unite tradition and modernity, embodying the youthful energy and progressive spirit of KIUG Rajasthan 2025. The key visual design combines Rajasthan’s iconic architecture with dynamic sports silhouettes, highlighted with vibrant shades of pink to honour Jaipur, the Pink City.

Celebrating Rajasthan’s Spirit

The torch design draws inspiration from the state’s forts and desert forms, symbolising the eternal flame of youth and excellence. The official jerseys, designed in the Games’ colour palette, represent energy, unity and pride. The anthem, specially composed for KIUG Rajasthan 2025, celebrates the spirit of sport, diversity and national pride. It’s about the host state, Chalo aage badho Rajasthan, Jeet lo saara Hindustan – urging Rajasthan to come forward and excel but by taking the rest of India along with them.

Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Rajasthan, unveiled the official jersey of the 5th Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025 on Wednesday in Jaipur. 

Col. Rathore stated, “The identity we launch today reflects the heart of Rajasthan — a land of courage, colour and culture. Through these Games, our youth will showcase their strength and skill on a national platform. Every city involved is preparing with enthusiasm, ensuring that KIUG Rajasthan 2025 becomes a benchmark in sports organisation and hospitality.”

The 12-day multi-sport event will feature live broadcast on Prasar Bharati (Doordarshan) across national channels, reaching millions of viewers. Preparations are in full swing, with coordination committees established at both state and district levels to ensure seamless organisation. Venues across Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Ajmer, Bharatpur and Bikaner are ready to host top-level university competition.

About the Khelo India University Games

The Khelo India University Games, organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India, are the country’s largest university-level multi-sport event. They aim to identify and nurture young sporting talent, offering a national platform to compete and excel. The fifth edition, hosted by Rajasthan, continues to build on this legacy by expanding opportunities and elevating standards in university sport.

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ABOUT KHELO INDIA

The Khelo India Scheme is the flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Khelo India Games are the basic platform to showcase sporting skills and, accordingly, become a platform for talent spotting and providing development pathways for gifted and talented children to achieve excellence. These National-level competitions are being organized in the true spirit of the Olympic Movement by associating various stakeholders like concerned NSFs, SGFI, AIU, etc. Under this programme so far, 20 editions of Khelo India Games have been conducted across the country with 7 editions of Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), 4 editions of Khelo India University Games, 5 editions of Khelo India Winter Games, and 2 editions of Khelo India Para Games, 1 edition of Khelo India Beach Games, 1 edition of Khelo India Water Sports Festival.