On November 24, in Jaipur, Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced that the Khelo India University Games would be taking place across seven divisions of the state, uniting young athletes from all over the country.
He stressed that these games are more than mere contests; they represent the starting point for many racers’ ambitions and hold the promise of nurturing future Olympic champions.
During the opening ceremony held at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Sharma highlighted how sports impart the virtues of struggle, perseverance, and resilience, helping participants tackle life’s obstacles with courage.
Citing a quote from Swami Vivekananda, he urged the young people in attendance to “arise, awake, and conquer the nation and the world.”
Sharma also noted that while India once yearned for medals, the era of Prime Minister Modi’s leadership has earned the country international acclaim in sports. He referenced the recent triumph of the Indian women’s cricket team in the World Cup, celebrating how female athletes are proving themselves to be unmatched.
In the same breath, he announced a new Sports Life Insurance Scheme that will extend life and accident coverage to medallists on the world stage. Rajasthan has also introduced its own Target Olympic Podium Scheme, modeled after the central government’s program, to support elite athletes aiming for global competitions.
The chief minister further revealed that the state will designate land for Dronacharya Award recipients, offering benefits comparable to those bestowed upon Arjuna Award winners. Colonel Rajyavardhan Rathore, Retd., the Youth Affairs and Sports minister, remarked that since 2014, Shri Modi’s stewardship has driven transformative progress in Indian sports.
He said that the 12‑day Khelo India University Games in Rajasthan will help the next generation reach new heights through discipline and determination, commending Bhajan Lal Sharma for propelling Rajasthan forward across education, sports, industry, and energy.
The games were officially launched when the chief minister placed a torch, flown in by a drone, onto the main podium. A dazzling drone display showcased the evolution of sports in India and highlighted Rajasthan’s developmental journey, while cultural acts celebrated the grand opening.
Earlier in the day, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya asserted that the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) is shaping the nation’s sporting future.
—arc/dan
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