Lucknow: The Babu Banarasi Das University will be converted into a Sports Village for the duration of the Khelo India University Games 2023, which are scheduled to start on April 24. UP is the host for the games this year and events will be organised in four cities – Lucknow, Varanasi, Noida and Gorakhpur. One event will also be held in Delhi.

During the first meeting of the organising committee held on Thursday, sports and youth welfare minister (independent charge) Girish Chandra Yadav directed officials to ensure that the arrangements are made for the event with cooperation with other departments. Special attention must be given to the security of women athletes, he said.

“All workforce involved with the organisation of the games should be given special training. Ensure that there is a plan for the stay of athletes, their travel, food etc,” he said.

Additional chief secretary (sports) Navneet Sehgal said that 4,000 athletes, 1,200 support staff and 900 technical officers will be participating in the event. In addition to the workers and officials from the department, around 1,300 volunteers will also be pressed into duty.

“Each volunteer will be paid Rs 500 per day. A local management committee headed by the respective DMs has been set up in each of the four cities where the games are to be held. Help desks will be set up at railway stations, bus stations and airports,” he said.

The opening ceremony for the games will be held in Lucknow while the closing ceremony will be in Varanasi. A total of 21 competitions will be organised during the 10-day event.

The Times of India