176 institutes to compete in Khelo University Games

Bhubaneswar, January 27

The inaugural Khelo India University Games, which will be held here from February 22 to March 1, will see more than 4,000 athletes from 176 institutes vying for top honours in 17 sports.

Some of the top universities of the country, including Panjab University, Guru Nanak Dev University, University of Delhi, University of Calicut, University of Calcutta, University of Mumbai, University of Kerala, LNIPE University, Gwalior, University of Madras, Jamia Millia Islamia University, Himachal Pradesh University, University of Jammu, will send their athletes for the Games.

“With 176 Universities from across India registering to participate in the first edition of the Khelo India University Games, we are confident this will create a new revolution in sports at the varsity level where youth in U-25 age-group will get a great platform to showcase their talent in 17 different disciplines,” said Sandip Pradhan, Director General, Sports Authority of India.

“The vision behind hosting this multi-discipline sporting extravaganza is to create a robust university games and identify talent who can be trained for the Olympics. Across the world, university games have formed the basis for identification and nurturing of Olympic talent,” he said.

The athletes will compete in archery, athletics, boxing, fencing, judo, swimming, weightlifting, wrestling, badminton, basketball, football, hockey, table tennis, tennis, volleyball, rugby and kabaddi. — PTI