Khelo India Youth Games 2026 logo, mascot unveiled for Hyderabad edition
Synopsis
Telangana has officially launched the visual identity of the 8th Khelo India Youth Games 2026 — logo and mascot unveiled in New Delhi — with over 7,000 athletes set to compete across 27 disciplines in Hyderabad from December 11 to 22. The state's sports budget has quadrupled in three years, and PM Modi has been invited to the opening and closing ceremonies.
Key Takeaways
The official logo and mascot for the 8th Khelo India Youth Games 2026 were unveiled on 15 November 2026 in New Delhi .
The Games will be hosted by Telangana from 11 to 22 December 2026 in Hyderabad and district headquarters across the state.
Over 7,000 athletes will compete across 27 sports disciplines .
Telangana's sports budget has grown from ₹113 crore to ₹465 crore in three years .
61 mini-stadiums have been completed; work on 15 more is ongoing.
CM Revanth Reddy has formally invited PM Narendra Modi to attend the opening and closing ceremonies.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday, 15 November 2026, unveiled the official logo and mascot for the 8th Khelo India Youth Games 2026, to be hosted by Telangana from 11 to 22 December. The ceremony took place at the Union Minister's official residence in New Delhi, marking a formal countdown to one of India's largest multi-sport youth events.
Key Developments at the Unveiling
The event was attended by State Minister for Sports and Youth Services Vakiti Srihari, State Minister for Irrigation and Civil Supplies Uttam Kumar Reddy, and State Government Advisor (Sports) A.P. Jitender. Senior officials including Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju, Principal Secretary to the CM V. Seshadri, Special Chief Secretary for the Sports Department Vani Prasad, and Managing Director of the Sports Authority Soni Bala Devi were also present.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy briefed Union Minister Mandaviya on the state's preparedness, noting that stadiums have been readied in Hyderabad and several district headquarters across Telangana to accommodate the Games.
Scale of the Games
Over 7,000 athletes from across the country are set to compete across 27 sports disciplines during the 12-day event. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy described the Games as a vital stepping stone for young talent aspiring to represent India at prestigious international platforms such as the Asian Games and the Olympics.
Telangana has previously hosted major sporting events, including the National Games in 2002 and the World Military Games in 2007, lending the state credibility as an experienced host.
Telangana's Sports Investment Push
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy highlighted a sharp increase in the state's sports budget — from ₹113 crore to ₹465 crore within a span of three years — as evidence of Telangana's long-term commitment to sports development. He also noted that construction of 61 mini-stadiums across the state has been completed, while work on an additional 15 stadiums is currently at various stages of progress.
PM Modi Invited to Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Earlier, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and extended a formal invitation for him to attend both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Khelo India Youth Games 2026, scheduled in Hyderabad in December. The Chief Minister also briefed the Prime Minister on the newly unveiled logo and mascot and highlighted the scale of youth participation expected at the event.
With infrastructure in place and a significantly expanded sports budget, all eyes will now be on Telangana's execution as December 11 approaches.
Point of View
But the real test will be in delivery: whether the infrastructure and athlete support systems translate into measurable outcomes at the national and international level. Inviting PM Modi to the ceremonies signals a deliberate bipartisan optics play, seeking Centre-state goodwill around a high-visibility event. The long-term question is whether Khelo India produces the pipeline of elite athletes it promises, or remains a well-funded tournament circuit.
NationPress
16 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will the Khelo India Youth Games 2026 be held?
The 8th Khelo India Youth Games 2026 will be held in Telangana from 11 to 22 December 2026, with venues in Hyderabad and various district headquarters across the state.
How many athletes will participate in Khelo India Youth Games 2026?
Over 7,000 athletes from across India are expected to participate, competing across 27 sports disciplines during the 12-day event.
What is Telangana's sports budget for the Khelo India Youth Games?
Telangana has increased its sports budget from ₹113 crore to ₹465 crore over three years, reflecting the state's investment ahead of hosting the Games. Additionally, 61 mini-stadiums have been completed and 15 more are under construction.
Who unveiled the Khelo India Youth Games 2026 logo and mascot?
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya jointly unveiled the logo and mascot on 15 November 2026 at the Union Minister's official residence in New Delhi.
Has PM Modi been invited to the Khelo India Youth Games 2026?
Yes, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy personally extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Khelo India Youth Games 2026 in Hyderabad in December.
