Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan spoke at the inauguration of the Khelo India Youth Games, highlighting the growth of a new and powerful India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chouhan praised India’s women’s cricket team for their victory in the T-20 Under-19 Cricket World Cup and assured that there would be sufficient funds in Madhya Pradesh to support athletic talent. The state has established eleven sports academies for eighteen different sports to nurture emerging players. Chouhan also announced a prize of Rs 5 lakh for Madhya Pradesh athletes who win medals in future games.
Addressing the participating players, Chief Minister Chouhan ignited the sports smart torch Amarkantak of Khelo India Games and expressed the state’s commitment to caring for all athletes. He echoed Prime Minister Modi’s sentiment that when an athlete wins an Olympic medal, 130 crore spectators feel proud. Madhya Pradesh has made extensive efforts to promote sports, yielding positive results in the previous Khelo India Youth Games where participants from the state won 38 medals. The budget for sports in Madhya Pradesh has increased from Rs 5 crore to Rs 347 crore, reaffirming their dedication to sports development.
Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anurag Thakur applauded Prime Minister Modi’s efforts in elevating sports in the country. Thakur acknowledged the remarkable achievements of female athletes in the previous Khelo India Youth Games held in Haryana and congratulated the Madhya Pradesh players for their record-breaking performances. He emphasized that India’s young athletes are excelling at the international level and traditional sports have gained recognition nationally.
Sports Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia stated that the Khelo India Youth Games signify the start of a new chapter in sports in Madhya Pradesh. She expressed gratitude to the Central Government for granting the state the opportunity to host the games. Scindia praised the participants and expressed hope for their continued success. The opening ceremony of the Khelo India Youth Games showcased the cultural and historical heritage of Madhya Pradesh, with replicas of prominent landmarks adorning the venue. The ceremony featured performances by renowned playback singers and captivating dance performances.
The event was hosted by popular television personality Jay Bhanushali, and was attended by Union Minister of State for Sports Nisith Pramanik, Arunachal Pradesh Sports Minister Mama Natung, and other notable dignitaries.