Guwahati, January 10: Emitting talent, Indian athlete have stepped up in glorying its country at the international forum. Exhibiting the same talent and capability, the third edition of Khelo India Youth Games was inaugurated in Guwahati on Friday with fanfare. The games are expected to see the participation of 6,800 athletes from 27 states and union territories competing in 20 sports.
Kiren Rijiju, the Minister of State of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, excitedly in a tweet on Friday morning, stated that it was a "big day" and that it was important to support the players make India a sporting nation.
Today is a very big day! #KheloIndiaYouthGames2020 begins at Guwahati in Assam. All the top young athletes of India are ready to compete with each other. Let's cheer and support the players and fulfill the vision of PM @narendramodi ji to make India a great sporting nation! pic.twitter.com/aBnYMwd3Vk
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 10, 2020
The Grand Opening Ceremony of the Biggest sporting Event in India. #KheloIndiaYouthGames2020 Guwahati.
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 10, 2020
Watch #LIVE at #6PM, on #StarSports1st & #Hotstar https://t.co/cKeaOLbC8x
The Khelo India program has been introduced to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all sports played in our country and establish India as a great sporting nation. Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, in a release, said, "The competition has started a sporting revolution in India and we couldn't be more proud of the fact that the tournament is being held in Assam. I wish the athletes all the very best."
The games will also witness a traditional Mizo sport 'Insuknawr'. In the sport, two players try to push each other out of a ring by holding a bamboo or wooden staff. The official said the Mizoram State Sports' Council has been asked to send players to the event to demonstrate the game on January 14.
Six players accompanied by two officials from the Mizoram Indigenous Games Association will be sent to Guwahati for it, he said. Insuknawr is one of the most important indigenous sports of Mizoram and a representation of the game is on the emblem of the state sports council.