NE’s aspirations getting wings: PM on Khelo India

Guwahati: In the field of sports, India is not looking back today. “If we look at the last few years, the country has own highest-ever medals in international events like Olympics, para-Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games among others,” said Union minister for youth affairs and sports Anurag Singh Thakur, while inaugurating the fourth edition of Khelo India University Games-2023 (KIUG) at Sarusajai sports complex, on Monday.

Addressing the KIUG through a video message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted the mascot of the KIUG, “Ashtalakshmi” in the shape of a butterfly symbolises how the aspirations of the northeast are getting new wings.

Conveying his best wishes to athletes, the PM complimented them for creating a grand image of “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat” in Guwahati and said, “Play wholeheartedly, play fearlessly, win for yourself and your team, and even if you lose, do not fret. Every setback is an opportunity to learn.”

Around 4,500 athletes from over 200 universities will compete among themselves in the 11-day event. KIUG, which is organised with joint collaborations of the ministry of youth affairs and sports, govt of India, Association of Indian Universities, DoNER and all state govts of the northeastern states, will be played across the eight sister states of the northeast. The Games will end on February 29.

Inaugurating the sport extravaganza, the minister said the Khelo India games are not just a battleground for medals, rather it is preparing ground for the athletes of the country so that they can bring medals for the country competing in international events in the future. Thakur said, “The athletes will compete for more than 822 medals in the event.”

The minister expressed hope that many of the athletes who are participating in the games, where more than 20 sports discipline will be played this time, are going to participate in international events and bring medals for the country. He said India aspires to host the youth Olympics in 2029 and summer Olympics in 2036 in the country.

Speaking at the event, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a diverse country like India, sports is strengthening unity amongst people giving an impetus to the vision of “Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat”. He said, “The games is giving the players an opportunity to explore the culture and tradition of other regions, which is contributing to national integration.”

Assam’s youth affairs and sports minister Nandita Gorlosa said the sporting extravaganza is a testament to the govt’s commitment of promoting sports and fitness in Assam.