CUTTACK: The inaugural edition of the Khelo India University Games was launched here on Saturday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi doing the “virtual” honours via a video hook-up.
Modi, while declaring the Games open, exhorted the athletes to better their own performances. “It is a historic moment for Indian Sports. With the launch of Khelo India University Games India has entered the league of countries where university games are organized at this level. I congratulate the organizers from Odisha who have put together this spectacular event and wish the 3000+ youth athletes from across the country all the best for the Khelo India University Games. In the coming few days, the goal is to win medals but even more to better your own performance. Your hard work here will take you, your families and your country’s dream ahead. You have torch bearers like Dutee Chand here to inspire you. This is the start of a new sports revolution in India,” said the Prime Minister through video conferencing.
A colourful 45-minute cultural-cum-entertainment show marked the ceremony, with a number of top dignitaries, led by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister of Petroleum, Natural Gas & Steel Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, witnessing the show.
As many as 4,000 spectators enjoyed the ceremony inside the stadium even as scores watched it on LED screens just outside the stadium.
After the success of the Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati last month, the Indian government decided to take it to the next level by hosting the Khelo India University Games (KIUG). The Odisha government promptly stepped forward and put everything in place in less than a month.
The KIUG officially began on Friday morning with competitions in archery, fencing, football, basketball and volleyball. It is the largest ever multi-discipline sports event being conducted at one venue for University students and hopes to unearth talented sportspersons for India.
Patnaik, during his speech, said: “It is a moment of great pride for us to be hosting the first edition of the Khelo India University Games, here in Odisha, in association with the government of India and the KIIT University. Khelo India University Games will provide a great platform to showcase sporting talent at the national level.
“Some of the athletes will return with medals, some with experience and all with great memories from the Games. I welcome all of you to the sport-loving state of Odisha. And, on behalf of the Government and people of Odisha, I wish all the athletes the very best for their sporting events,” Patnaik added.
Rijiju, during his address, said: “I’m sure we will find more Olympians and unearth more talent from the Games. It gives a platform for athletes to showcase their talent at the highest level and also for athletes to interact with one another to share expertise. I’m confident that through initiatives such as the Khelo India Youth Games and the Khelo India University Games, India will have more stars in the future.”
The opening ceremony witnessed 390 students performing and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Odisha. Padmashree Aruna Mohanty choreographed a sequence which showcased dance forms such as Odissi and Sambalpuri.
The torch relay which kick-started the Games was led by India archer Muskan Kirar who passed on the baton to swimmer SP Likith, who then handed over the torch to former India hockey player Dilip Tirkey, who in turn lit the cauldron. The oath taking ceremony for athletes was led by ace sprinter Dutee Chand, who is also competing in the Khelo India University Games.
Composer Ram Sampath and Indian singer Sona Mohapatra performed a song which urged athletes to participate with pride during the Games. Musical composer Nakash Aziz motivated the athletes with his song ‘Khelo Khelo’ which talks about taking sports to the next level in India.
The KIUG-2020 boasts of 3,343 athletes (Male – 1,738, Female – 1605) from 159 Universities, plus innumerable technical and support staff. They will compete for glory in 17 sports disciplines: Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Swimming, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Badminton, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Rugby and Kabaddi.
The games will be staged across 10 venues in Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack. The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology will be the main center for the sporting extravaganza.
The number of medals up for grabs include 206 Gold, 206 Silver and 286 Bronze. The Games are being telecast live on Star Sports, Hotstar and Doordarshan. The Games have been completely automated from the nomination process to integration of TSR with live telecast.
KIUG-2020 will be conducted on par with any international event with the help of 17 competition managers (one each for every sporting discipline), 740 international and national level technical officials (TOs) and 355 sport-specific volunteers (SSVs).
Top universities like Panjab University (Chandigarh), Guru Nanak Dev University (Amritsar), Maharishi Dayanand University (Rohtak), Punjabi University (Patiala) and Delhi University Sports Council (Delhi) are vying for top honours at the first ever KIUG.
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