Khelo India University Games 2025: Young Athletes Shine as Mandaviya Praises Future Champions

On the eve of the fifth edition of Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya lauded the nation’s young sporting talents. Set to commence in Rajasthan across seven cities including Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Ajmer, the event promises a grand stage for emerging university athletes from over 230 universities nationwide.​

Key Highlights

• Celebrating Emerging Talent: Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the role of KIUG as a crucial platform uniting India’s finest young athletes, embodying dedication, discipline, and the spirit of excellence towards global sports events like Asian and Commonwealth Games.
• Expansive Reach: The Games will feature nearly 5,000 athletes competing in 23 medal sports and one demonstration event, with new sports such as canoeing, kayaking, cycling, and beach volleyball reflecting the expanding diversity in Indian university sports.​
• Prominent Participants: The lineup includes Olympic-level athletes such as swimmer Srihari Nataraj and international archers like Olympians Bhajan Kaur and Parneet Kaur, along with Asian Games gold medalist Aditi Gopichand Swami, raising the competitive standard.
• First Time in Rajasthan: This marks Rajasthan’s debut as the host, with collaboration between the Sports Authority of India, Rajasthan government, and state sports council orchestrating a seamless multi-city event.
• Vision for the Future: Minister Mansukh Mandaviya expressed confidence that KIUG will further strengthen sports ecosystems across universities, nurturing champions for the international arena while inspiring sporting excellence nationwide.
• Launch and Support: The event launch was attended by Rajasthan’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, who highlighted the role of sports in holistic youth development and nation-building.​

This edition of KIUG reiterates India’s commitment to fostering grassroots sporting talent and broadening the nation’s competitive horizon across multiple disciplines.

Sources: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Olympics.com, Hindustan Times, Doordarshan Sports.​