Delhi, 20 May (H.S.): On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significant impact of sports, describing the Khelo India Beach Games as a pivotal event in India’s sporting history. In a message to the organizers in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, along with the Sports Authority of India, he expressed his congratulations and best wishes, noting that the Beach Games are set to make a notable impact on India’s sporting calendar. Modi deemed Diu a fitting venue due to its blend of sun, sand, and water, remarking that this environment enhances both the physical challenge and the celebration of India’s coastal heritage.
The inaugural Khelo India Beach Games were officially opened by Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya at Ghoghla Beach, showcasing participation from over 1,350 athletes across more than 30 states and Union Territories. The Games, running until May 24, feature competitions in six medal sports: soccer, volleyball, sepaktakraw, kabaddi, pencaksilat, and open water swimming, along with demonstration events like Mallakhamb and tug-of-war, which commenced the day with beach soccer matches.
Modi highlighted that sports possess a unique ability to unite diverse cultures, regions, and languages in India, evolving from mere entertainment to a transformative force reflecting national pride and youth aspirations. He acknowledged this significance during the Khelo India Beach Games. The opening ceremony celebrated India’s cultural richness through traditional dances, attended by notable figures such as Shri Praful Patel, Shri K. Kailashnathan, and Admiral DK Joshi.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya proclaimed that this event marks the beginning of India’s beach sports revolution, emphasizing the passionate spirit it inspires. He asserted that the Modi administration’s initiatives link sports to employment opportunities, positioning Khelo India as a crucial pathway for youth aiming to fulfill their dreams in a developed Bharat.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, reflecting similar sentiments as PM Modi, emphasized that Khelo India is enriching the domestic sports calendar with new games, showcasing the government’s commitment to enhancing the sports ecosystem through substantial investments in infrastructure, improved training facilities, and supportive initiatives for athletes. He asserted that these new games serve to strengthen the domestic sports infrastructure and effectively demonstrate India’s capability to host international sporting events of any scale.
Mandaviya cautioned against viewing the Khelo India Beach Games as merely a casual affair, highlighting that sports like beach volleyball appeal to youth not only as pastimes but also as viable career paths. He noted that this marks the inaugural instance of competitive sports being held on a large scale on India’s beaches.
The Minister expressed optimism regarding India’s evolution into a fitness-conscious nation, with a burgeoning sports culture becoming the new normal. He reiterated the government’s solid commitment to the Union Territory in promoting sports.
The Beach Games represent the first event organized under the Khelo India initiative, occurring from May 19 to May 24, 2025, in Diu, within the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The aim is to promote beach sports and to amplify the reach and popularity of the Beach Games. This edition features six medal sports: Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Beach Sepak Takraw, Beach Kabaddi, Pencak Silat, and Open Water Swimming. Additionally, it includes two non-medal demonstration sports: Mallakhamb and Tug of War, which are also being showcased in Diu. Through this initiative, the government aims to foster talent development in beach sports, contributing to India’s overall sporting landscape.
—————
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
