In a glittering ceremony at the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 in Tamil Nadu’s capital, Chennai, Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Information & Broadcasting, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, bestowed trophies upon the deserving winners, applauding the exemplary display of talent and sportsmanship.
Shri Thakur took the opportunity to emphasize the significance of the Khelo India Games, stating, “The Khelo India Games envisioned by Honourable Prime Minister is the embodiment of his interest in harnessing the power of the youth and giving them a platform to showcase their talent.” He also acknowledged the Prime Minister’s consistent support for youth initiatives, citing instances like attending the opening ceremony during the 11-day Anusthan and visiting Nashik for Youth Programmes.
In the keenly contested games, Maharashtra emerged as the overall winner with a staggering 158 medals, including 57 gold, 48 silver, and 53 bronze. Tamil Nadu and Haryana secured the second and third positions with 98 medals (38 gold, 21 silver, 39 bronze) and 103 medals (35 gold, 22 silver, 46 bronze) respectively. The event witnessed a total participation of 7234 individuals, including athletes, technical officials, and volunteers.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Shri Thakur expressed pride in the growth of the Khelo India Youth Games, noting the increased stature and equal representation of male and female athletes. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a sporting superpower.
The Games also witnessed the creation of 30 overall meet records and national youth records, with athletes from Haryana, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu shining in disciplines such as athletics and weightlifting. Swimmer Vritti Agarwal of Telangana emerged as one of the standout athletes, clinching five gold medals in various events.
Noteworthy were the inspiring stories of athletes rising from humble backgrounds to achieve success. Shri Thakur highlighted Panchami Sonowal of Assam, Durga Singh of Bihar, and weightlifter Jyoshna Sabar of Odisha, illustrating that talent knows no boundaries.
The closing ceremony was graced by the presence of 23 prominent athletes who have excelled in major international competitions, adding a touch of grandeur to the event. Shri Thakur concluded by expressing immense pride and optimism for the future of Indian sports, celebrating the talent, dedication, and indomitable spirit of the country’s youth.