Khelo India: Perfect present, bright future Premium

Identifying talent and nurturing them is a challenging task and one that drives the Khelo India movement

We recently concluded the Khelo India Games with resounding success. While the magnitude of the mission has grown exponentially, the government has been adding new facets to the Khelo India campaign in terms of both technical and demographic diversity. Change is constant and if results are any yardstick, we are on the right track.

The Khelo India mission has been the cornerstone of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a nation oozing with energy. India is a young country: 65% of the population is below 35 years. Sports is arguably the ideal glue to bring everyone together.

Sports now provides a serious career option to our youth. We understand that every athlete has a career span. While achieving excellence is their primary goal, we as the government must reciprocate. Khelo India medal winners, who can potentially go on to win laurels for the country, deserve a tension-free existence. In a recent notification, the government has decided to provide jobs to those who meet the necessary criteria.

In this cycle of the Khelo India Games, we had a few firsts. Primarily aimed at spreading the good word on sports and boosting capacity-building in all the States to stage sporting events of importance, the Youth Games were held in the south for the first time. Tamil Nadu’s multi-city approach was a success with fans having free and easy access to venues. Similarly, for the first time, the University Games were staged across seven north-eastern States, with Assam hosting 16 different sports. The Northeast has given India some of its top boxers and hockey and football players. It was in the fitness of things that Mizoram hosted men’s football and Sikkim, boxing. The government is not only promoting Olympic disciplines, but also giving adequate attention to indigenous sports like Yogasana, Gatka, Mallakhamba, Silambam and Kalaripayattu. The participation in these sports has been overwhelming.

It’s been the government’s endeavour to offer every State the opportunity to stage a major sports event. Enabling Ladakh to stage a portion of the Khelo India Winter Games for the first time in February is a case in point. It was heartening to see Ladakh excel in ice hockey and ice skating, alongside the Army and the Indo Tibetan Border Police teams. The confidence in hosting a national event of importance will only make the States and UTs.

The Khelo India mission has been a solid learning process. At the heart of this mission are the athletes, coaches, and other support staff. Athletes selected to represent India in international competitions must only focus on their goals and nothing else.

It is incumbent upon us to provide the right environment and ecosystem to make the athletes shine. Sports administration is all about setting transparent and stringent processes and executing them with some flexibility. It is important to produce a system which promotes ease of living and does not give anxiety to athletes. The government continues to yearn for that perfect system.