Narendra Modi flagged off Khelo India School Games

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the Khelo India School Games (KISG) at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, aiming to unearth sporting talent and spread sports culture in the country.

Modi said, “Khelo India is not only about winning medals. It is an effort to give strength to a mass movement for playing more. We want to focus on every aspect that would make sports more popular across the nation.”

He further added, “We have decided to select 1,000 children every year from different sports and provide them 5 lakh per annum for eight years.”

With 5000 school children from 29 states and seven union territories, Khelo India School Games will be held across 16 disciplines in the U17 category and will end on February 8th.

Over the coming nine days, Under-17 players will battle for 199 gold medals, 199 silver medals and 275 bronze medals in Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Shooting, Swimming, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Wrestling.

Prime Minister also declared 5 lakh per annum for 8 years for the 1000 shortlisted athletes. “The athletes will be provided with the best of the facilities and coaches to train under.They will be provided assistance to train wherever they feel they will get the best inputs,” the prime minister added.

Narendra Modi further said that, it is not just the winning coach to be awarded, but also first coach of the athlete, who played the crucial role in unearthing the young talent.

Modi found it unfair on the coaches. He said, “It has been noticed that when an athlete returns with a medal, governments announce cash awards. But only the current coach is recognized. It’s the right thing to do, but what about those coaches who have unearthed the talent and who have honed their skills at a young age. Now every coach that has contributed towards the progress of the athlete will be eligible for awards.”