The Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2023 Were Held From January 19-31, 2024

RU-57-01-0361-010224/EXPLAINER
Khelo India Youth Games 2023
(Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports)

January 31, 2024
“Khelo India Youth Games will bring together the resolve, commitment and belief of
all athletes and the nation will be a witness to their dedication, self-confidence, never-
say-die spirit and passion for extraordinary performances.”
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
The Khelo India Youth Games

(KIYG) 2023 were held from
January 19–31, 2024 across four
cities of Tamil Nadu, namely
Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and
Coimbatore. Over 5600 athletes
participated in this edition of
Khelo India Youth Games, spread
across 13 days in 15 venues with
26 sporting disciplines, over 275
competitive events along with one
demo sport. The 26 sporting
disciplines are a diverse mix of
conventional sports such as
Football, Volleyball, Badminton
etc. and traditional sports such as
Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang ta,
Kabaddi and Yogasana. Silambam,
a traditional sport of Tamil Nadu,
was introduced as a demo sport for
the first time in the history of
Khelo India Youth Games.1 This
was the first time that Khelo India Youth Games were held in South India.
1 https://youth.kheloindia.gov.in/
Opening ceremony of Khelo India Youth Games 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi

inaugurated the opening ceremony
of the Khelo India Youth Games
2023 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on
January 19, 2024. He also placed
the Games’ torch handed by two
athletes on the cauldron marking
the inauguration of Khelo India
Youth Games. Addressing the
gathering as Chief Guest, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi
welcomed everyone to the 13th
Khelo India Games and said that it
is a great way to begin 2024. He
said that the people gathered on
the occasion represent a young
India, a new India whose energy is
taking the country to new heights
in the world of sports.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of exposure for the athletes and for
that emphasized the utility of holding big sporting events in the country. He added that
Khelo India Abhiyan is playing the role of finding talent at the ground level that is
participating in these mega-events. PM Modi mentioned the 12 Khelo India Games,
Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India University Games, Khelo India Winter Games,
and Khelo India Para Games as great opportunities to play and find talent. He
expressed confidence that the hospitality of Tamil Nadu will win all hearts and that the
Khelo India Youth Games will provide the opportunity to showcase the skills. “New
friendships made here will also last a lifetime”, he added.2
Mascot, logo & Jersey for the games
The mascot for the games was Veera Mangai. Rani Velu Nachiyar, fondly called Veera
Mangai, was an Indian queen who waged a war against British colonial rule. The
2 https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1997938
mascot symbolizes the valour and spirit of Indian women, embodying the strength of
women power. The logo for the games incorporated the figure of the poet
Thiruvalluvar.
The Prime Minister expressed happiness that Veera Mangai Velu Nachiyar is the
mascot of this edition of the games, saying “It is unprecedented for a real-life
personality to be chosen as the mascot. Veera Mangai Velu Nachiyar is a symbol of
women power. Today her personality is reflected in many decisions of the government.
With her inspiration, the government is continuously working to empower
sportswomen.” He listed women leagues on 20 sports and initiatives like ‘Das kas
Dam’ as opportunities to showcase the sporting prowess of women athletes.
All 26 sporting disciplines & 1 demo sport of Khelo India Youth Games 2023
Glimpses of opening ceremony
India’s Recent Successes in Sports
Apart from showcasing local talent as part of the Local for Vocal mantra of PM Modi,
efforts are on for international exposure for local talent. Many international
tournaments have been organized in India in the last 10 years, including the recently
held Beach Games in Diu.
India’s best-ever performance at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games, historic
performance at the Asian Games and Para Games, and the new record of medals at the
University Games are not an overnight success but results of passionate institutional
efforts. In the last 10 years, the government reformed, the athletes performed and the
entire sports system transformed in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the government’s resolve to provide

international exposure to India’s young athletes and the nation becoming an important
center of the global sports ecosystem. Prime Minister said, “we are working diligently
to host the Youth Olympics in 2029 and the Olympic Games in 2036 in India.”
Sports economy catalyst for nation’s development
Sports is not limited to just the field but is a huge economy in itself creating many
employment opportunities for the youth. The government has been making all efforts
to increase the share of the sports economy and developing sports-related sectors in
the past 10 years.3 The much focus is on skill development to nurture sports
professionals and the creation of a sports equipment manufacturing and services
ecosystem in the country. The government is providing a platform to the professionals
related to sports science, innovation, manufacturing, sports coaching, sports
psychology, and sports nutrition in the country.
The creation of India’s first National Sports University, creation of more than 300
prestigious academies in the country under the Khelo India campaign, 1,000 Khelo
India centers and more than 30 centers of excellence are transforming the sports
culture in the country. In the new National Education Policy of the country, sports
have been made a part of the main curriculum helping create awareness about
choosing sports as a career in childhood itself.4
Closing ceremony of Khelo India Youth Games 2023
Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Information & Broadcasting Shri
Anurag Singh Thakur gave away the trophies at the closing ceremony of the Khelo
India Youth Games 2023 Tamil Nadu in Chennai on Wednesday. On the occasion,
Union Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur said “The Khelo India Games envisioned
by Honourable Prime Minister is the embodiment of his interest in harnessing the
power of the youth and giving them a platform to showcase their talent.”
He also said “Honourable PM has constantly supported the youth, be it attending the
opening ceremony of the Khelo India Youth Games in Tamil Nadu during the 11-day
Anusthan (self-penance) leading up to the Ram Mandir pratistha or visiting Nashik for
Youth Programmes during the same time so as to motivate them. His constant
interaction with athletes before, during and after tournaments has been a key reason
for their heightened confidence on the field.”
Medal tally of Khelo India Youth Games 2023
Maharashtra finished in the top position with a total of 158 medals (57 gold, 48 silver,
53 bronze) while Tamil Nadu and Haryana took the 2nd and 3rd positions
respectively, bagging 98 medals (38 gold, 21 silver, 39 bronze) and 103 medals (35
gold, 22 silver, 46 bronze).
To check the full medal tally state-wise, click HERE.
To check the full medal tally sport-wise, click HERE.
References:
• PIB Press Release on Maharashtra Gymnast Aaryan Davande wins boys Artistic All-Round
Gold dated January 22, 2024.
• PIB Press Release on Punjab, Gujarat, Chandigarh, Manipur open their gold medal account on
Day 2 of competition dated January 21, 2024.
• PIB Press Release on Tamil Nadu win two gold, West Bengal and Delhi bag one gold each
on opening day dated January 20, 2024.
• PIB Press Release on PM inaugurates opening ceremony of the Khelo India Youth Games
2023 dated January 19, 2024.
• h t t p s : / / s t a t i c . p i b . g o v. i n / Wr i t e R e a d D a t a / s p e c i f i c d o c s / d o c u m e n t s / 2 0 2 4 / j a n /
doc2024112297901.pdf
• https://youth.kheloindia.gov.in/
Twitter links:
• https://x.com/PMOIndia/status/1748337522089066734?s=20
• https://x.com/PMOIndia/status/1748338413487718739?s=20
• https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1PlKQDoaXqYxE
NR/HP/RK/PK/JA

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RU-57-01-0361-010224/EXPLAINER

Khelo India Youth Games 2023

(Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports)

The Khelo India Youth Games

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Mascot, logo & Jersey for the games

Glimpses of opening ceremony

India’s Recent Successes in Sports

Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined the government’s resolve to provide

Sports economy catalyst for nation’s development

Closing ceremony of Khelo India Youth Games 2023

Medal tally of Khelo India Youth Games 2023

To check the full medal tally sport-wise, click HERE.

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