The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, has announced a wider canvas for the Khelo India programme, unveiling a year‑round events calendar that now features fresh verticals—School Games, Beach Games, Water Sports, North‑East Games, as well as Tribal, Swadeshi and Martial Arts meets.
Launching the Khelo India Annual Calendar, the Minister called the roadmap a “strategic blueprint” designed to deepen India’s grassroots competition network, streamline talent spotting and create a steady pipeline of elite athletes. Over the past decade, he noted, Indian sport has shifted dramatically—from sporadic tournaments to a vibrant, inclusive ecosystem anchored by the flagship Khelo India Youth, University, Para and Winter Games.
Key additions
- Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) – debut edition in Diu, 19‑25 May, combining coastal sport promotion with tourism exposure.
- Khelo India School Games (KISG) – three‑tier format (district → state → national) scheduled August–December to discover young prodigies early.
- Khelo India Water Sports & North‑East Games – May–June window to leverage aquatic talent and harness the region’s sporting culture.
- Khelo India Tribal, Swadeshi & Martial Art Games – July–September, spotlighting indigenous disciplines and traditional combat arts.
Mandaviya emphasised that each new festival will be “pivotal in identifying, nurturing and preparing our budding champions,” ensuring calendar‑long opportunities instead of isolated events. With Bihar recently clinching a record 36 medals at the 2025 Youth Games, the Ministry believes this expanded circuit will propel India closer to its ambition of becoming a global sporting powerhouse.
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