Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the sixth Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai, showcasing the true spirit of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.’ The event took place at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday, where PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for broadcasting sector projects worth approximately Rs 250 crore. The logo of DD Tamil was unveiled during the ceremony.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur were present at the inauguration. PM Modi extended his best wishes to the athletes and sports lovers who came from across the country, acknowledging their contribution to showcasing the unity and diversity of India. He expressed his confidence that the warm people of Tamil Nadu, their language, culture, and cuisine would make the participants feel at home.
The Prime Minister highlighted the role of Khelo India in providing a platform for talented athletes and nurturing new talent. He mentioned that the mascot for the Khelo India Youth Games is Velu Nachiyar, a symbol of courage and determination.
During the ceremony, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for various broadcasting sector projects. This includes the launch of the revamped DD Podhigai channel as DD Tamil, 12 Akashvani FM projects across eight states, and 4 DD transmitters in Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, 26 new FM transmitter projects in 12 states were announced.
The Khelo India Youth Games 2023, scheduled from January 19 to 31, will be held in four cities: Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, and Coimbatore. This marks a significant milestone for South India and Tamil Nadu, as it is the first time they are hosting the Khelo India Youth Games. The Games will see the participation of over 5,500 athletes from all Indian states and Union Territories.
Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin expressed his delight at hosting the Games and emphasized the spirit of sportsmanship, determination, and unity that Khelo India symbolizes. Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur praised the success of the Khelo India scheme and its contribution to building a strong sporting culture in India. He highlighted that 41 medals won in the Asian Games 2023 were attributed to the Khelo India Games and program.
Tamil Nadu has embraced its rich traditional history by choosing Rani Velu Nachiyar as the mascot for the Games. This decision aims to educate the younger generation about the bravery of the legendary freedom fighter.
The sporting events will take place across various venues in Tamil Nadu, including a state-of-the-art velodrome at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University for cycling competitions. Shooting events will be held in Velachery and Alamadi, attracting the finest budding shooters from the state and the country.
The sixth Khelo India Youth Games not only provides a platform for young athletes to showcase their talent but also promotes the spirit of unity and diversity that defines India. With the support of the Prime Minister, Tamil Nadu, and sports enthusiasts from across the country, this edition of the Games promises to be a memorable and inspiring event.
Note: All information in this article is sourced from the news report titled Showcasing true spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat: PM Modi inaugurates 6th Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai published by ANI.
