Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], May 19: Champions are not born overnight; they are molded through years of hard work, commitment, and unwavering support. Under the insightful guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian government has been dedicated to identifying and fostering sporting talent from all regions of the country.
Various initiatives are in place to motivate young athletes to excel on the global stage. A key program is Khelo India, which focuses on enhancing the sports culture at the grassroots level and establishing India's presence in international sports. Recently, during the Khelo India Youth Games, athletes from Gujarat showcased their skills, earning 13 medals across multiple events, as reported by the Gujarat Chief Minister's Office.
-107 Gujarat Players Shine at Khelo India Youth Games 2025
The 7th Khelo India Youth Games 2025 took place in Bihar from May 4 to May 15, organized by the Sports Authority of India. This event featured under-18 athletes competing in 28 different sports. A total of 107 players from Gujarat participated in 17 individual and team sports, including Volleyball, Judo, Archery, Swimming, Gymnastics, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Mallakhamb, Tennis, Athletics, Thang-Ta, Yoga, Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Fencing, Cycling, and Shooting.
Gujarat's athletes excelled, bringing home 13 medals for the state. Their achievements included 2 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals in Judo; 1 silver in Yogasan; 1 silver and 2 bronze in Fencing; along with 1 bronze each in Swimming, Volleyball, and Wrestling.
India's Ambition for the 2036 Olympics, as Stated by PM Modi
During the opening ceremony of the 7th Khelo India Youth Games, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized, “This platform is crucial for nurturing top talent among athletes. The government is dedicated to upgrading sports infrastructure across the country and has tripled the sports budget over the last ten years. India is also striving to host the Olympics in 2036. To foster exceptional athletes, sports have been incorporated into mainstream education as part of the new National Education Policy.”
Gujarat's Sports Budget Exceeds Rs 487.95 Crore in 2024
In the last twenty years, the Gujarat government has established world-class facilities to promote a vibrant sports culture. The sports budget has surged from a mere Rs 2.5 crore before 2002 to over Rs 487.95 crore in 2024. Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's leadership, the state has introduced the Sports Policy 2022-2027 to further enhance the sports ecosystem.
This policy aims to position Gujarat as a frontrunner in sports and expand opportunities for talented athletes to realize their ambitions. Additionally, India has joined the bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, with Ahmedabad suggested as the host city. To support this, a modern sports village is being constructed in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
