Diu, India - The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, expressed his congratulations to Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu for successfully hosting the inaugural Khelo India Beach Games, as reported by SAI Media.

The event commenced on May 19 and wrapped up on Saturday, with the closing ceremony held at the INS Khukri Memorial in Diu.

Mandaviya shared, “Diu holds a special place in my heart, and I extend my sincere congratulations to the Union Territory for the successful execution of the Khelo India Beach Games 2025. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi ji, envisions Diu as a premier destination for Beach Games in India, and the organizers have excelled in providing athletes with the necessary support and comfort.”

He also congratulated Manipur for clinching the top spot, followed by Maharashtra and Nagaland in second and third places, respectively. Notably, he praised Nagaland for achieving a top-three finish in a Khelo India event for the first time and commended Manipur for its remarkable performance in pencak silat.

In total, 811 athletes participated in six medal sports, including pencak silat, sepak-takraw, soccer, volleyball, open sea swimming, and kabaddi, while Mallakhamb and tug-of-war were showcased as non-medal demonstration sports. A total of 46 gold medals were contested among 31 states and Union Territories during this beach sports festival.

Mandaviya emphasized the importance of the experience gained through participation, stating, “In sports, there are no true losers; you either win or learn. This was the inaugural Beach Games under the Khelo India initiative, and I appreciate everyone for fostering a spirit of healthy competition and national pride.”

Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, Srimati Raksha Nikhil Khadse, remarked, “The Khelo India Beach Games have marked the beginning of a new chapter. Our young athletes have truly illuminated the shores of Diu with their talent,” during her address at the closing ceremony.

Reiterating the goals of the Khelo India Mission, Srimati Khadse stated, “The Khelo India initiative aims to enhance the sports culture at the grassroots level throughout the nation. The Khelo India Beach Games represent a significant milestone in this endeavor, highlighting many exciting and lesser-known beach and water sports.”

She also pointed out the potential of the North-East region in contributing to India's sporting landscape, noting the impressive performances of Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam at the Beach Games. “There is a vast reservoir of sports talent in the North East, and our government prioritizes fully utilizing this talent. The strong showing of these states at the Beach Games demonstrates that, with the right opportunities and incentives, they can achieve remarkable success on both national and international stages.”