All about Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG)

India as a nation has always found herself at the wrong end of the medals tally at Olympians. Experts have pointed out that lack of a system to identify and nurture players is a main reason for this. The Khelo India programme has been introduced to revive the sports across India starting at the grass-root level to create a system to discover future Olympians.

What is Khelo India Programme?

Khelo India Youth Games were conceptualised along the lines of 'Champs'. Champs is an annual competition for school athletes in Jamaica. In a rather remarkable achievement Jamaican hold the record 19 out of the 26 fastest timings ever recorded in 100m. And a large part of the credit for this achievement goes to the school championship popularly known as "Champs". Champs is attended by 30000 strong enthusiastic fans. 

Khelo India Youth Games were conceptualised along the lines of 'Champs'. Champs is an annual competition for school athletes in Jamaica. In a rather remarkable achievement Jamaican hold the record 19 out of the 26 fastest timings ever recorded in 100m.

India as a nation has always found herself at the wrong end of the medals tally at Olympians. Experts have pointed out that lack of a system to identify and nurture players is a main reason for this. The Khelo India Youth programme has been introduced to revive the sports across India starting at the grass-root level to create a system to discover future Olympians. The key objectives of the program include an Annual Sports Competition, Talent Search and Development, Upgradation of Infrastructure and Physical Fitness of School Children and Women and Promotion of Rural and Indigenous Tribal Games. 

Who started Khelo India?

On 31 January 2018, Khelo India School Games kicked off at the  Indira Gandhi Arena, New Delhi by Prime Minister Narender Modi. It was a 9 day long championship with events across Kabaddi, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kho-Kho, Shooting, Swimming, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Wrestling. The second edition of the event was conducted in Balewadi, Pune and flagged off by the then Sports Minister and Olympic Silver Medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. The Games were renamed as Khelo India Youth Games in 2019. The third edition will begin in Guwahati on 9th January 2020. 

An estimated 10000 athletes will participate in Guwahati this year across 20 different sports. 

Where is Khelo India held?

• Khelo India School Games | 31st Jan-8th Feb 2018 | New Delhi
• Khelo India Youth Games | 9th Jan-20th Jan 2019 | Pune
• Khelo India Youth Games | 9th Jan-22nd Jan 2020 | Guwahati

What is the motto of Khelo India Youth Games?

The key objectives of Khelo India include is to promote fitness across schools, women and grass-root levels. To achieve this objective, it is an event promoted by the Prime Minister and Sport Minister and live telecast on television. 

What is the mascot of Khelo India?

Jaya the black buck and Vijay the tiger are the mascots for Khelo India Youth Games. They definitely add an endearing liveliness and humor to the KIYG atmosphere.