Bhubanewar: India with the largest youth population aims to secure a place among the top ten leading medal winning nations at the Olympics, the union sports minister Kiren Rijiju said, here on Monday. He asserted that India will be a sports powerhouse in the coming years.
“To fulll fill this ambitious dream, ministry of sports and youth affairs will organize four major national events every year under Khelo India programme. The four events under the tag of Khelo India are Youth games, University games, School games and Indigenous sports or sports for disable persons, ” said the union minister.
Addressing the occasion, union minister for petroleum and steel, Dharmendra Pradhan said, rural and tribal Odisha is the hub of talents. He said the first Khelo India University Games launched in Odisha will set the stage for hunting of talent and development of sports in the country.
The Odisha chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, who launched the Khelo India University, here on Monday, said, Odisha in the recent years has emerged as the sports capital of India. Odisha has successfully hosted several major sports events and produced many famous sports star of the country. The state government is committed to provide all possible support for development of sports, he added.
The union HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘ Nishank’, States higher education and agriculture minister Dr. Arun Kumar Sahoo, sports and youth services minister Tusharkanta Behera, MP Dr. Achyuta Samanta, union sports & youth affairs secretary Radhey Shyam Julaniya, State sports secretary Vishal Dev were present on the occasion.
The Indian Men’s Hockey team, famous athletes and sports enthusiasts were also present. The mascot, schedule, jersey and logo of the event were launched by the guests on this occasion.
