Sports Minister Anurag Thakur participates in Khelo India University Games Logo and mascot launch event
Union Minister for Youth Affairs And Sports Anurag Thakur participated in the Khelo India University Games Logo and mascot launch event in Bengaluru on Friday. Welcoming Bangaloreans to the second edition of University Games, the minister called upon Universities to contribute for sports and earn Olympic medals for the country.
He also urged upon people to remember the unsung sportspersons of India who brought laurels to the country especially before our Independence. Saying that wide scale efforts are being made to arrange expert coaching to the elite athletes, the Sports Minister said that Target Olympic Podium programme and setting up of Mission Olympic Committee are aimed at making our athletes potential medal winners in the forthcoming Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and at the 2024 Olympic Games. Listing out the decisions of the Prime Minister in making sports popular in India, Mr Thakur said Yoga is today recognised world over through United Nations resolution. The minister also said that traditional sports like malkhamb will be promoted by the ministry. Speaking about the University Games that will begin on April 24th in Bengaluru, the minister appreciated the decision to make it a Green Game that will not use single-use plastic and follow environment-friendly practices. He informed that the first edition of University games held in Orissa had attracted around 3000 sports persons and in Bengaluru over 4500 athletes will be competing in various disciplines including Yoga and Malkhamb. He noted that the talents identified in the games will be given an opportunity to compete in the International events
