Khelo India University Games 2023

• 27 May 2023

For Prelims: Khelo India University Games (KIUG), Swamp Deer, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, National Educational Policy 2020.

For Mains: Khelo India Programme

Why in News?

Recently, the Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the 3^rd edition of Khelo India University Games (KIUG) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, marking the beginning of a new era for sports in India.

What are Key Points about KIUG 2023?

• The mascot of the 3^rd edition of Khelo India University Games is named Jitu, which represents Swamp Deer (Barasingha) - the state animal of Uttar Pradesh.
  • The first edition was Khelo India University Games held in Odisha in 2020, the second edition was held in Bangalore, Karnataka in 2022 (shifted from 2021 to 2022 due to Covid-19 pandemic).
• The games will witness the participation of over 4750 athletes from more than 200 Universities competing in 21 sports categories. Competitions will take place in Varanasi, Lucknow, Gautam Buddha Nagar, and Gorakhpur.
• The Prime Minister also emphasised that this interaction fosters a sense of unity, promoting the spirit of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.'

What is the Khelo India Programme?

• About:
  • Khelo India, which translates to ‘Let’s play India’, was proposed by the government of India in 2017 to revive India’s sporting culture by engaging with children at the grassroots level.
    • The initiative also focused on building better sporting infrastructure and academies across the country for various sports.
  • It is implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• Competitions Under Khelo India:
  • Under this movement, the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) and the Khelo India Winter Games were set up as annual national sports competitions where youngsters, representing their states and universities, respectively, showcased their skills and competed for medals.
• Significance:
  • Reviving Traditional Sports:
    • Khelo India has played a crucial role in restoring the prestige of India's traditional sports.
    • The government has provided scholarships to promote and encourage indigenous sports such as Gatka, Mallakhamb, Thang-ta, Kalaripayattu, and Yogasan. This initiative has helped preserve and popularise these traditional sports among the youth.
  • Integration of Sports in Education:
    • Khelo India aligns with the proposal of the National Educational Policy 2020 to incorporate sports as a subject within the curriculum and the construction of the country’s first National Sports University will further strengthen the cause.
  • Empowering Women Athletes:
    • Khelo India has taken significant steps towards promoting women's participation in sports through initiatives like the Khelo India Women's League.
    • Organised in several cities, this league has witnessed the active participation of approximately 23,000 women athletes.
• Centres of Excellence:
  • Khelo India also supports the establishment of state-of-the-art sports facilities across India, called Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE). These centres aim to provide basic facilities for sportspersons with potential and cater to three sporting disciplines each.
  • Some of the KISCEs are
    • Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl
    • Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar
    • Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal

Source: PIB