Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the seventh edition of the Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar today. The Games, featuring 27 medal disciplines and one demonstration sport, will end on May 15.

Present alongside PM Modi was Hon’ble Chief Minister of Bihar Shri Nitish Kumar, Hon’ble Union sports and youth affairs minister, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Union Minister of State Srimati Rakhsha Khadse and several dignitaries from the Bihar government and the Bihar State Sports Authority.

This is the first major multi-discipline sporting event hosted by Bihar. The 27 medal sports are spread over five cities – Patna, Rajgir, Bhagalpur, Gaya and Begusarai – and New Delhi. For the first time in the KIYG program, sepaktakraw has been included as a medal sport and esports will be a demonstration event. More than 10,000 participants, including over 6,000 athletes, will take part in KIYG 2025.

It may be pertinent to mention that in March this year the Indian men’s regu (three-player) team secured its first-ever gold medal at the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) World Cup in Patna.

The victory sparked nationwide celebrations, with the Hon’ble Prime Minister extending his congratulations. This triumph at the Pataliputra Sports Complex marked India’s best-ever performance at the ISTAF World Cup, where 21 countries from four continents competed across seven events.

“This is a very important time for Bihar. History tells us how Nalanda and Vikramshila were eminent knowledge centres. Now the same land will give us new sports development centres. It’s a matter of great pride for Bihar,” said Dr Mandaviya.

“These Games are an opportunity to change Bihar’s image as a state capable of hosting big events. A Viksit Bihar is part of Viksit Bharat and now every sports talent in Bihar will get a stage and an opportunity to showcase their skills,” said Dr Mandaviya, adding that proper talent development was key to doing well in the 2026 Summer Olympics that India aspire to host.

Bihar has been an integral part of Khelo India’s robust programme.  Out of the 1048 Khelo India Centres across the country, 38 Khelo India Centres have been established in Bihar across all districts. Led by past champion athletes, the centres have strengthened grassroots engagement.

These Khelo India centres offer a range of disciplines such as table tennis, athletics, wrestling, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, boxing, kabaddi and wushu. A total of 939 athletes (473 Males; 466 Female) are currently training in these centres. Additionally, 34 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence have been established across the country in collaboration with the state government.

An indication of Bihar’s gradual improvement in sports was seen at the National Games in Uttarakhand. Bihar won 12 medals, including a gold, to record their best ever performance at the National Games.

“The good times in Bihar sports have started and PM Modi believes that this is the time and it is the right time. And all this has been possible due to structured training, athlete-centric approach and local support system. We just have to be patient and let talent shine in due course,” said Dr Mandaviya.

Dr Mandaviya added that the Sundays on Cycle program was gaining momentum across the country as he reiterated that “awareness for fitness was mandatory to keep lifestyle issues like obesity at bay.” The sports minister also said that the Khelo India calendar will see new events that will be more inclusive in nature.

Dr Mandaviya said in future there will be a Khelo India School Games, a Beach Games in Diu, Khelo India indigenous Games in south India and a Tribal Games in Chattisgarh, among others. “Like this we will keep organizing events under the Khelo India umbrella,” said the minister.

For More on Khelo India Youth Games, click: https://youth.kheloindia.gov.in/

For Medal Tally of KIYG 2025, click: https://youth.kheloindia.gov.in/medal-tally

ABOUT KHELO INDIA YOUTH GAMES

Khelo India Youth Games are part of the Khelo India program that was launched on October 14, 2017. Khelo India aims to achieve the twin objective of mass participation and promotion of excellence in sports. The program has contributed immensely to India’s sporting success with several Khelo India athletes representing the nation at global events, including the Olympics and the Asian Games.  Bihar is hosting the seventh edition of the Khelo India Youth Games from May 4-15 in five different cities of the state and Delhi. KIYG 2025 will feature 27 sports and for the first time, esports has been included as a demonstration sport.

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Manish Gautam/Divyanshu Kumar

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