Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and sports shri Vijay Goel here today inaugurated Khelo India National level Competitions. The competitions in Delhi have been organized by SAI under aegis of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in Swimming, Cycling and Wrestling.
The inaugural ceremony was held at Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex at Talkatora. Shri Vijay Goel also presented medals to the winners of the Swimming events in different categories. Secretary Sports Shri Injeti Srinivas, Ace swimmers Khazan Singh , Bhanu Sachdeva , Meenakshi Pahuja and hundreds of school children were present on the occasion to encourage the young participants.
Approximately 1000 participants from more than 25 states/Union territories are taking part in the National Competitions for which entry for spectators to watch the events is free at all venues.
Shri Vijay Goel said that Khelo India Competitions are being conducted not only to promote sports at grass-root level but also to help create sports infrastructure in the country. He said it will provide a platform to the budding talents to compete at national level. Talent identification would also be done in the process for grooming them to achieve excellence at international level. He said a National portal for Sports Talent Search will be launched in this month itself by his Ministry.
While the Swimming and Cycling events were conducted today both for Boys and Girls under 14 and Under 17 Categories, wrestling competitions (Free style) for Cadet Group 14 years to 16 years both for Boys and Girls would be held for two days on 20-21 January, 2017 at SAI Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, New Delhi.
Khelo India National level Competitions will be conducted in different disciplines in January and Febuary,2017. The events of Kabbadi , Kho Kho and wushu would be held in Nellore , Weightlifting Boxing and Table Tennis in Guwahati, Athletics Hand Ball and Hockey in Gandhi Nagar , Taekwondo , Volleyball and Football in Chennai, Badminton , Gymnastic , Basketball and Lawn Tennis in Hyderabad and Archery and Judo in Jaipur