Northeast gears up to host 4th Khelo India University Games

Guwahati: North East India is bracing to host the fourth edition of the Khelo India University Games, with Guwahati and other cities set to witness exhilarating sporting extravaganzas.

Scheduled to be held from February 2024, the games will witness athletes from various universities across the nation competing in a plethora of events, with 16 events slated for Guwahati and four events to be held in other states.

During the launch of the mascot, logo, theme song (united and spirit empowered by patience), jersey, and torch of the game, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the Khelo India University Games is a platform to showcase the country's intellectually and physically balanced youth potential.

Guwahati is poised to welcome over 5,000 athletes from 200 universities and 7,000 delegates. CM Sarma further said that the games will not only provide a platform for university athletes to compete with the best but also serve as a stepping stone for them to gain recognition on a larger stage.

The Khelo India University Games - Ashtalakshmi 2023 will feature an impressive lineup of sporting disciplines, ranging from athletics to yoga, embodying the essence of unity in diversity. 

In a bid to support the athletes participating in the Khelo India initiative, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has allocated a fund of Rs 30.8 crore under the Khelo India Scholarship Scheme for the financial year 2023-24. This includes an out-of-pocket Allowance (OPA) of Rs 7.7 crore for 2,571 Khelo India Athletes for the fourth quarter. The total amount released for the year covers allowances for all four quarters.

Under the long-term development program of the Khelo India Scheme, approximately 3,000 athletes have been identified as Khelo India athletes, each receiving an out-of-pocket allowance of Rs 1.2 lakh per annum, along with additional funding of Rs 5 Lakh towards training and competition expenses.

"The Khelo India University Games serve as a beacon for showcasing the multifaceted talent and potential of the country's youth, further fueling the nation's passion for sports and athleticism", the Chief Minister said.

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