Khelo India 2019: "Objective is to turn India into a sporting country," says Secretary (Sports) for GOI

Pune, January 20: The Khelo India Youth Games 2019 has achieved one of its main objectives, which is to provide a platform to make India a more sporting nation and produce future champions.

As Mr. Rahul Bhatnagar, Secretary (Sports) of the Government of India, put it, “I think in years to come we will see our country emerging amongst the top in the world.”

Present at the hugely successful closing ceremony of Khelo India Youth Games, Mr. Bhatnagar said, “I am very happy to see the enthusiasm of all the participants whether they have been students, coaches, technical officials or others. They all have whole-heartedly worked together to make these Games a success.”

He added, “It has been a great 12 days of competition where students both from schools and colleges from all over India have participated in a movement for a cause.”

Speaking about the Games overall, he explained, “Actually the ‘objective’ of Khelo India, rather I should say the ‘movement of Khelo India’ is to generate a feeling of sports culture in school’s colleges… amongst the teachers, the parents and all.”

Pointing out that the Games had also objectivised “excellence,” he added, “The Games are proving to be a platform from where we can select talent and then go on to train them in our academies. This, so that these boys and girls can go onto represent the country in international events.”

“I think the important thing is that we have given, through the KIYG a platform, these students and the youth an event where all the standards are those of international events… whether the field of play; the umpiring/ refereeing or the technical officials, all are qualified to conduct any international events.”

Mr. Bhatnagar further reasoned, “All this was provided so that all these students who participated here get a feel of an international competition."

“I am sure that this is going to inspire them and spur them on to greater achievements… and the entire Khelo India movement will develop and build the sports culture in the country.”