Bihar will host the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in April, marking its debut on the Khelo India map. This flagship initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will also include, for the first time, the Khelo India Para Games, which will follow the Youth Games with a 10-15 day gap. The Para Games, introduced last year in Delhi, aim to spotlight differently-abled athletes, furthering inclusivity in Indian sports.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasized the importance of sports in achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to expand the Khelo India Games across the nation. Highlighting Bihar’s growing capability to host large-scale sporting events, Dr. Mandaviya pointed to the state’s recent successful hosting of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey championship in Rajgir, where India clinched the continental title by defeating China, the Paris Olympics silver medalists.
The Khelo India Youth Games 2023 were previously held in Tamil Nadu earlier this year, and Bihar’s turn will further enhance its role in the sports ecosystem. Dr. Mandaviya underscored the cultural richness of Bihar, emphasizing its importance in fostering national unity and pride through sports. He encouraged athletes to utilize the expanding infrastructure across the state.
Bihar is already a significant beneficiary of the Khelo India Programme, with 38 Khelo India Centres, one Khelo India State Centre of Excellence, and three SAI Training Centres supporting athlete development at various levels. This infrastructure underlines the Ministry’s focus on grassroots talent development, ensuring Bihar remains a key player in India’s sports landscape.