PM Modi Virtually Inaugurates Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Bihar
In a landmark moment for Bihar and Indian sports, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the 7th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) at the iconic Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna. This is the first time Bihar is hosting a multi-discipline national sporting event of this scale, marking a major step in fulfilling India’s ambitious sports vision.
The inaugural ceremony witnessed the presence of several dignitaries including Bihar’s Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State Smt. Rakhsha Khadse, and key representatives from the Bihar government and State Sports Authority.
A New Era for Sports in Bihar
This edition of KIYG will be held across five cities in Bihar — Patna, Rajgir, Bhagalpur, Gaya, and Begusarai — as well as New Delhi. A total of 27 medal sports and one demonstration sport (esports) will be showcased, with over 10,000 participants, including more than 6,000 athletes, competing over 11 action-packed days until May 15.
Highlighting the expansion of the Games, sepaktakraw has been added as a medal sport for the first time, and esports will be featured as a demonstration event — reflecting the growing scope and inclusivity of Indian sports.
India’s Rising Sports Momentum
Bihar’s emergence on the sports map has already gained momentum. Earlier this year, India’s men’s sepaktakraw regu team secured their first-ever gold medal at the ISTAF World Cup, held at the same venue in Patna. The win, celebrated across the nation, was described as a turning point in India’s sports narrative.
Empowering Grassroots Talent
Union Sports Minister Dr Mandaviya emphasized the importance of structured training and local support systems to nurture talent, especially with the 2036 Olympics in sight. He remarked, “A Viksit Bihar is a part of a Viksit Bharat. These Games are a platform for Bihar to demonstrate its ability to host world-class sporting events.”
Bihar now boasts 38 Khelo India Centres, one in each district, training 939 athletes (473 male, 466 female) across disciplines like athletics, boxing, wrestling, football, kabaddi, archery, and more. These centres are led by former champions and supported by a nationwide network of 34 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence.
Looking Ahead: Year-Round Sports Culture
Dr Mandaviya also announced a more inclusive and continuous sports calendar under the Khelo India umbrella, which will soon feature:
- Khelo India School Games
- Khelo India Beach Games in Diu
- Khelo India Indigenous Games in South India
- Khelo India Tribal Games in Chhattisgarh
The goal, he said, is to create year-round opportunities for talent spotting and to develop India’s next generation of champions.
Fitness for All
With initiatives like Sundays on Cycle, the Ministry is promoting fitness as a national lifestyle. The push toward active living is aimed at tackling lifestyle-related health issues and embedding fitness into the nation’s cultural fabric.
About Khelo India Youth Games
Launched on October 14, 2017, the Khelo India initiative was designed to promote both mass participation and excellence in sports. Since then, it has produced numerous athletes who’ve gone on to represent India in the Olympics, Asian Games, and other global arenas.
The Khelo India Youth Games 2025 continues this legacy, with Bihar stepping up as a proud host and proving its mettle on the national sports stage.