First edition of Khelo Indian School was first initiative to boost toward Development of Athletics

New Delhi: On Wednesday PM Modi launch and  was successful first edition of the Khelo India School Games at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. IT is week-long inaugural edition will be an Under-17 event where athletes have been invited to participate across 16 disciplines: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Shooting, Swimming, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Wrestling. There will be 199 gold, 199 silver and 275 bronze medals at stake. The Khelo India programme had been introduced to revive the sports culture in the country at the grass-root level with talented players identified in priority sports disciplines by a High-Powered Committee will also be provided with annual financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh per annum for eight years it was announced.

However, as addressing the gathering he said sports should occupy a central place in the lives of our youth, as it being important means of personality development. He urged youngsters to devote time to games, encouraging them amid their busy schedules. Referring to the eminent sportspersons present in the gathering, he said they too would have faced many obstacles; but they did not give up and went on to distinguish themselves. PM Modi said India does not lack sporting talent, said India to be a youthful nation and can do even better in sports. Explaining the significance of India growing on the world stage, he said this does not only mean having a strong army and powerful economy. It includes people of India distinguishing themselves as scientists, artists, sportspersons etc., he said. He expressed confidence that India will scale these heights, adding that he trusts India’s youth. However referring to sports played for passion not monetary gain which makes athletes special was the reference given by the PM and as such to hold pride of tricolor in which energies entire nation. With want to focus on every aspect that would make sports more popular across the nation and also to bring talent of the youngsters from rural India and smaller cities excelling as sportspersons.

It proved to quite successful event of state level front with various athletes grabbing their achievements with representation of their own state. Star India will spend Rs 50 crore on the broadcast of the  Khelo India Games. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has confirmed in an official statement that Star India has acquired the Khelo India broadcast rights till 2022 for an undisclosed sum. However, insidesport.co has reliably learned that Star India has made an annual commitment of Rs 20 crore towards the broadcast rights. The broadcaster will spend a further Rs 30 crore on television production and marketing.

Maharashtra turned in a fine all-around performance in athletics, wrestling and swimming with two gold each to edge ahead of Haryana and Karnataka in a tight race at the inaugural Khelo India School Games (KISG). All three teams have nine gold each, but Maharashtra had a total of 25 medals as compared to 23 for Haryana and 20 for Karnataka to top the tally.Maharashtra had nine gold, seven silver and nine bronze while Haryana have nine gold, six silver and eighth bronze for 23 medals. Karnataka have nine gold, five silver and six bronze for 20 medals. Delhi(seven gold), Tamil Nadu (four) and Kerala (three) followed the top three teams.Maharashtra had a good day in most of the medal events on Friday, while Haryana had a great day in athletics and wrestling. Karnataka managed two more swimming gold on Friday as per chart.