Jaipur, Nov 24 (NationPress) The Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, spoke to the attendees at the inaugural ceremony of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025, emphasizing that the nation’s emerging athletes represent the hope of 1.4 billion Indians.

“As I stand before you, I see not just a gathering of athletes — I see the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. You will emerge as the sporting legends of the future. You are the ones destined to raise the national flag on podiums globally. With this belief, I express my sincere gratitude to all the athletes involved in this event, the organizers, Rajasthan government ministers, and everyone in sports administration,” stated Mandaviya.

He mentioned that the nation has immense faith in its university athletes as the champions who will enhance India’s stature on international sporting platforms in the future.

The Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025 commenced with a vibrant opening at the renowned Sawai Mansingh Stadium this evening.

The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajanlal Sharma, officially inaugurated KIUG 2025 in the presence of Dr. Mandaviya, senior ministers, officials from SAI, and an enthusiastic crowd.

This marks the fifth edition of KIUG, organized under the guidance of the Sports Authority of India in partnership with the Rajasthan government, the State Sports Council, the Association of Indian Universities, and with technical assistance from national sports federations.

The Games, scheduled from November 24 to December 5, will span across seven cities in Rajasthan, featuring an impressive 4448 athletes from 222 universities competing in 23 medal sports. Kho-kho will serve as a demonstration event, aligning with the Union Sports Ministry’s initiative to promote indigenous sports.

A total of 296 gold medals will be contested. In leading sporting nations, universities often act as talent incubators, and this evolution is beginning in India as well.

The Union Minister remarked that the Khelo India University Games will further bolster these opportunities.

“Lovely Professional University sent 11 athletes to Tokyo 2020 and 24 to the Paris Olympics 2024. Consider this: when 21 percent of the entire Indian contingent originates from a single university, imagine the possibilities if every university maximizes its potential,” Mandaviya elaborated.

He continued, “From DAV College, Jalandhar, 27 Olympians have emerged; Delhi University also saw several athletes qualifying for the Paris Olympics. What stronger evidence exists that when universities nurture Olympians, our journey to becoming a global sporting powerhouse by 2047 becomes evident?”

“Friends, presently, 4.5 crore (45 million) youth are enrolled in universities nationwide. This statistic is not merely data — it represents the greatest strength of New India, its utmost confidence, and its most significant competitive advantage. If we harness this potential effectively, it can propel us to become a global sporting leader.

Our universities are evolving from mere academic institutions to the most robust engines driving the country’s sporting revolution,” stated Mandaviya.

He concluded, “We are indeed the land of Takshashila and Nalanda, but we are also the nation of legends such as Major Dhyan Chand, Milkha Singh, and Neeraj Chopra. Alongside our academic prowess, we must transform into a nation that celebrates sporting excellence too. The opening ceremony showcased grandeur, with two international athletes – boxer Arundhati Chaudhary and compound archer Rajesh Chauhan – passing the Viksit Rajasthan smart torch to Shri Sharma and Dr. Mandaviya. This solar-powered torch, equipped with a camera, journeyed across Rajasthan before concluding at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium this evening. Welcoming KIUG 2025 participants,

Rajasthan CM Sharma expressed gratitude to the Union sports ministry for granting Rajasthan the honor of hosting the Khelo India University Games 2025.

“It is a source of immense pride to host the Games and secure the rights despite competitive bids from various states and UTs. I thank Dr. Mandaviya for allowing us to advance PM Modi’s vision for a young India,” Sharma added.

“We are witnessing the realization of PM Modi’s vision. He recognized the potential in our youth, and Khelo India serves as that platform for athletes to showcase their skills. Khelo India is an equal opportunity platform, allowing everyone to participate and demonstrate their talent. Dreams fuel the passion, and you have arrived here to face challenges and learn from both victories and defeats.”