• By JE Sports Desk
  • Fri, 19 Jan 2024 08:35 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday declared open Khelo Indian Youth Games 2024 in Chennai and extended wishes for the participating athletes. PM Modi also reiterated his government's support to host the 2029 Youth Olympics and the 2036 Olympic Games in India.

"I extend my best wishes to all the athletes and sports lovers who have come to Chennai from across the country. Together, you are showcasing the true spirit of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. The warm people of Tamil Nadu, the beautiful Tamil language, culture and cuisine will surely make you feel at home," Modi said during the event.

ALSO READ: Japan Crush India's Dream To Qualify For 2024 Paris Olympics

Prime Minister further added that induction of Khelo India games gave a platform to aspiring talents to showcase their skills. He also expressed his elation over naming Velu Nachiyar as the mascot of the Khelo India Youth Games 2024.

"Khelo India Games, Youth Games, Khelo India University Games, Khelo India Winter Games and Khelo India Para Games are giving you an opportunity to play and also bring forward new talent...I am happy that the mascot for the Khelo India Youth Games is Velu Nachiyar," Modi said.

Mascots for major multi-discipline games are normally designed around national animals or birds. But Tamil Nadu is the first state to showcase its rich traditional history and is looking to educate the younger generation about the bravery of legendary freedom fighter Rani Velu Nachiyar, who is also referred to as 'Veera Mangai' (the brave woman).

ALSO READ | India Open 2024: Lee Chuek Yiu Stuns Fourth Seed Anthony Ginting To Enter Semifinals

The Khelo India Youth Games 2023 scheduled between January 19-31 will have competitions held across four cities- Chennai, Trichy, Madurai and Coimbatore.

This is a first for South India as well as for Tamil Nadu when it comes to the Khelo India Youth Games. First envisaged as the Khelo India School Games back in 2018, the Games have grown in magnitude and have been renamed as the Khelo India Youth Games. This edition of the Games will see the participation of over 5,500 athletes from across all the Indian states and Union Territories, as per a press release from Khelo India Youth Games Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu will be the first state in the last three editions to be able to host all the sports disciplines, including cycling, which will be conducted at the state-of-the-art velodrome at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University (TNPESU) in Melakottaiyur.

Shooting events will be held in Velachery and Alamadi, where the finest budding shooters from the state as well as the country will be aiming for the bull's eye.

(With ANI inputs)