PM Modi inaugurates Khelo India Youth Games 2024 in Chennai, hails Tamil Nadu’s sports culture

News Desk TTP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the sixth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games 2024 in Chennai on Friday, in the presence of Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, Chief Minister M K Stalin, and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur. The PM also launched the Khelo India mobile app, which will provide information and updates on the games.

The Khelo India Youth Games 2024 is a flagship event under the government of India’s Khelo India initiative, which aims to promote sports at the grassroots level and identify and nurture young talent. The games will be held from January 19 to 31 in four cities of Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Trichy. Over 5,000 athletes from 36 states and union territories will compete in 27 sports, including Olympic, non-Olympic, and indigenous games.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, PM Modi praised Tamil Nadu’s rich sports culture and heritage, and said that the state has produced many legendary sportspersons who have brought laurels to the country. He cited the examples of chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, cricketer M S Dhoni, tennis star Ramanathan Krishnan, and hockey player Dhanraj Pillay, among others.

He also lauded the state for hosting the 44th Chennai Chess Olympiad in 2022, which was a huge success and witnessed the participation of over 180 countries. He said that the Khelo India Youth Games 2024 will also showcase the state’s sporting excellence and infrastructure, and will inspire many youngsters to take up sports as a career.

He further said that the Khelo India initiative has transformed the sports ecosystem in the country, and has created a platform for the youth to showcase their talent and potential. He said that the initiative has also provided financial assistance, training, and exposure to the budding athletes, and has helped them to achieve their dreams.

He also highlighted the achievements of the Indian athletes in the recent international events, such as the Tokyo Olympics, the Paralympics, and the Junior Hockey World Cup. He said that these performances have boosted the morale and confidence of the entire nation, and have ignited a new passion for sports among the people.

He urged the participants of the Khelo India Youth Games 2024 to play with full enthusiasm, spirit, and sportsmanship, and to enjoy the games as a festival of sports. He also appealed to the people of Tamil Nadu and the country to support and encourage the young athletes, and to make the games a grand success.