Will the Govt Stage Khelo India Northeast Games Every Year to Unleash the Region's Sports Potential?
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Synopsis
The Central Government is set to launch annual Khelo India Northeast Games to promote sports talent in the Northeast, enhancing the sports ecosystem and showcasing traditional games. This initiative aims to bolster India's reputation as a sports powerhouse and support aspiring athletes from the region.
Key Takeaways
- Khelo India Northeast Games will be held annually to scout talent.
- 8 Northeast states will host the games.
- Significant investment in sports infrastructure across the region.
- Training of over 8000 athletes in Khelo India Centres.
- Promotion of traditional games alongside modern sports.
New Delhi, May 24 (NationPress) Recognizing the Northeast as a hub of sports talent, the Central Government, via the Sports Ministry, will launch extensive initiatives for talent identification and promotion, including annual multi-discipline sports events aimed at enhancing the sports ecosystem in the region.
Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, announced on Saturday that the central government is fully dedicated to bolstering the sports environment in the Northeast through numerous initiatives, which include hosting the Khelo India Northeast Games in one of the eight Northeast states each year. These states comprise Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
The Union Sports Minister made this announcement while addressing a large audience at the Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya remarked that although the Northeast is known as the region of India’s first sunrise, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decade-long governance, the Northeast is making significant progress toward development. He emphasized that the Northeast is consistently contributing to the evolution of ‘Naya Bharat’.
With aspirations to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and the Summer Olympics in 2036, the Sports Minister highlighted that India, being a vast country, is ideal for organizing international events throughout the year.
He elaborated that India currently experiences three seasons – monsoon in the South, snowfall in the upper Himalayan regions, and summer heat in the West. According to him, India is the best option for 'Play in India,' much like the 'Make in India' initiative by PM Modi.
“As the Northeast undergoes transformation, the sports goods industry and ecosystem are advancing, and the day is near when the world will gather in the Northeast for sports. Today, India’s top athletes are emerging from the Northeast, representing India in premier international sports and advancing Indian athletics.
In line with the Khelo India Youth Games and University Games, we will be hosting the Khelo India Northeast Games annually, which will not only aid in identifying talent and harnessing potential but also provide a platform to highlight our traditional games,” Dr. Mandaviya stated.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya pointed out that the sports infrastructure in the Northeast has seen exponential growth, with 86 projects currently operational. Under the Khelo India scheme, ₹439 crore was allocated in 2021 for 64 sports infrastructure initiatives across the Northeast. This includes synthetic turfs, multipurpose halls, swimming pools, and hostels.
The Sports Minister noted that the area is home to 152 Khelo India Centres (KICs), training more than 8000 athletes, and 8 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs) that are establishing a solid grassroots ecosystem. Currently, three National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) in Guwahati, Itanagar, and Imphal are providing world-class training to 600 athletes.
Highlighting Khelo India’s flagship program for women, the Sports Minister shared that approximately 13,000 girls from the Northeast participated in the ASMITA League across various disciplines last year. This is a testament to how the region is progressively evolving into a significant talent nursery that will bolster the national team’s strength in the future, as revealed in a Ministry release on Saturday.
Dr. Mandaviya also disclosed that the Government will launch a substantial talent identification campaign across the subcontinent where anyone can upload a video of a player's performance to the Sports Ministry via the National Sports Repository System (NSRS) portal.
SAI will dispatch talent scouts to the event's location and, after evaluating the athlete’s performance, will induct them into either the Khelo India Centre or NCOE, based on their potential.
The Northeast region successfully hosted the Khelo India University Games Ashtalakshmi in 2023, marking a significant moment that showcased the Northeast’s capability to host large-scale national events in sports such as athletics, football, boxing, and archery.
Point of View
It's evident that the government's commitment to fostering sports in the Northeast is a significant step towards inclusivity and development. This initiative not only aims to identify and nurture talent but also serves as a catalyst for the region's growth in the sports sector. It's a pivotal moment for Indian sports, and the nation stands behind this progressive approach.
NationPress
01/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Khelo India Northeast Games?
The Khelo India Northeast Games are annual multi-discipline sports competitions aimed at identifying and promoting sports talent in the Northeast region of India.
Which states will host the Khelo India Northeast Games?
The Khelo India Northeast Games will be hosted in one of the eight states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
What is the objective of the Khelo India initiative?
The Khelo India initiative aims to strengthen the sports ecosystem in India by promoting talent identification, enhancing infrastructure, and supporting athletes across various disciplines.
How many athletes are currently being trained under Khelo India in the Northeast?
There are over 8000 athletes being trained at 152 Khelo India Centres in the Northeast region.
What recent success highlights the Northeast's capability to host national events?
The successful hosting of the Khelo India University Games Ashtalakshmi in 2023 demonstrated the Northeast's ability to manage large-scale national sporting events.
