Bhubaneswar to host 1st edition of Khelo India University Games 2020

On January 06, 2020 Bhubaneswar, Odisha has been selected to host the 1st edition of the 2020 Khelo India University Games (KIUG) which will be held from February 22nd to March 1, 2020 at Bhubaneswar’s KIIT University (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology University). The Union Sports Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju and Odisha’s Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik unveiled the logo and jersey of Khelo India University Games during a event in Bhubaneshwar.1st Khelo India University Games 2020:

i.Mascots: the mascots unveiled at the launch event were named as mascots ‘Jay and Bijay‘.

ii.Event associates: The event will be hosted in association with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Association of Indian Universities, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the National Sports Federation (NSFs).

iii.Participants & events:  Over 4000 athletes from 100 universities will be participating in the game events having 17 disciplines namely archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, rugby and kabaddi.

iv.One-state-one-sport: During the ceremony, future implementation of one-state-one-sport plan was announced. Under this plan, each state will adopt and nourish a particular sport of its choice and potential.

• State & central govt. support: Financial support will be given by the central govt while infrastructure and logistic support will be given by the state govt.

v.Members present: Union Minister of Human Resource Development (MHRD) Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’; Union Petroleum Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan; indian athlete Dutee Chand and other officials were also present in the function.

Khelo India program:

• This program was introduced to revive sports culture in India by merging Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ahiyan (erstwhile Yuva Krida and Khel Abhiyan), ‘Urban Sports Infrastructure scheme’ and National Sports Talent Search System Program as a central sector scheme.
• Through this program, talented players will be identified in priority sports disciplines and will be provided annual financial assistance of Rs.5 lakh per annum for a period of 8 years.

About Odisha:
Capital- Bhubaneswar.
Governor- Ganeshi Lal.
Chief minister- Naveen Patnaik.
Dams- Hirakud dam, Rengali dam, Indravati dam, Jalaput dam (between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha), Mandira dam, Patora dam.