Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur, inaugurated 33 new Khelo India Centres (KICs) in Rajasthan during a ceremony held at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. This initiative is aimed at bolstering sports development in the state and nurturing young talent at the grassroots level.
During the event, Minister Thakur also made a significant announcement that a National Center of Excellence, equipped with a dedicated sports science center, will be established in Rajasthan. Furthermore, an additional 18 Khelo India centres will be established in the state, bringing the total number of KICs to 51.
The event was graced by the presence of Ashok Chandna, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for the Government of Rajasthan, along with other esteemed dignitaries from the state, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS), and the Sports Authority of India.
Speaking at the event, Minister Thakur emphasized the collaborative efforts between state and central governments to propel sports growth across all states. He noted the success of initiatives like the Khelo India scheme and the Target Olympic Podium scheme, which have contributed to India’s outstanding performance on the international sports stage.
“The exceptional achievements of Indian athletes in various international events, including the Olympics, Paralympics, Commonwealth Games, and even historic wins like the Thomas Cup, reflect the success of initiatives such as Khelo India,” Thakur remarked.
He further highlighted remarkable achievements such as Antim Panghal’s back-to-back U20 wrestling world championship titles, Praggnanandhaa’s FIDE World Cup final appearance in chess, and India’s unprecedented medal tally at the World University Games.
The Khelo India Centres (KICs) play a pivotal role in the development of sporting talent. Currently, more than 17,000 athletes receive training in KICs, and 699 past champion athletes have been engaged as coaches across the country. Among the 960 KICs notified nationwide, 715 are operational, with 33 KICs in Rajasthan, out of which 32 are operational.
The Khelo India games have become instrumental in providing exposure and opportunities to young athletes through platforms like the Youth, University, and Winter Games. Minister Thakur expressed optimism that the newly inaugurated Khelo India Centres in Rajasthan will contribute to molding more athletes from the state and fostering their growth.
The Khelo India Centres empower past champion athletes to serve as coaches and mentors, creating a self-sustained sports ecosystem. Financial support is provided to these past champions and the centres to facilitate sports training, coaching, and operational activities.
By establishing Khelo India Centres and a National Center of Excellence, the Indian government is taking significant strides to cultivate sports talent at the grassroots level and elevate India’s stature on the global sports arena.
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