Latest news with #BeachGames
Mint
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Khelo India Beach Games 2025 in Diu becomes an anti-doping awareness centre, hundreds of athletes set to benefit
The National Anti-Doping Agency in India (NADA) is doing its work to good effect. The 2025 Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) are underway in Diu since May 19, and Dr Usha Subhash Nikumbh, who is the Lead Dope Control Officer (LDCO) at NADA, is spreading the anti-doing message at the scenic Ghoghla Beach, the venue for the Beach Games, with the help of a score of volunteers. On Friday, they went to every sporting event on the beach and distributed informative colourful pamphlets in Hindi and English on the dos and don'ts for athletes. "We started this initiative in 2018. The idea was to make athletes aware of what all they needed to do to stay clean," Dr Nikumbh informed SAI Media. "We go from event to event, from national championship to even academies and institutes. We were also at the recently concluded Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) in Bihar. "And since we have started this program, there is better awareness among athletes than before and fewer cases of breach too," she added. Dr Usha and her volunteers distributed four loose pamphlets, titled: All About Whereabouts, Be A Fair Play Ambassador, Keep the Best Food Forward and It Is Your Call. The "All About Whereabouts" sheds light on what athletes in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) need to do first and foremost about their whereabouts. Like they need to submit their whereabouts information like the home address, email id, phone number, overnight accommodation address, where they are and doing what all through their day along with locations and time, their competition schedules as well as a 60-minute time slot for each day where they will be available and accessible for testing. Under "Be A Fair Play Ambassador", there is information in regard to what athletes, coaches and parents need to do. For athletes, it is "train and compete clean", "refrain from prohibited substances and methods", "submit your samples in time", and "speak up if you come across Anting Doping Rule Violations (ADRV)". For coaches, it's "educate your athletes about prohibited substances and methods", "explain the importance of the doping control process", "stay away from people serving a sanction", and "speak up if you come across ADRV'. For parents, it's "inculcate the virtues of competing clean", "educate your children about ADRV", "Encourage them to stay away from prohibited sentences", and 'speak up if you come across ADRV.' Under "It Is Your Call," the NADA stresses the importance of collective responsibility in order to do away with doping breaches, including calling out dishonourable acts and the offenders. In the fourth pamphlet "Keep the Best Food Forward", the NADA tries to dissuade athletes from taking supplements; for, they may have banned substances with the labels not showing them besides the side effects. Basically, the message is: don't rely on supplements, go natural and eat and sleep well and stay hydrated. Close to 1000 athletes from 31 states and Union Territories in India participated in the Khelo India Beach Games 2025 across six sports - pencak silat, beach soccer, beach volleyball, sepak takraw, open water swimming and beach kabaddi besides mallakhamb and tug of war as demonstration sport.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Boxing demonstrates its punches at Khelo India Beach Games in hope of promoting sport in Union Territory
At the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) in Diu on Ghoghla beach, Tug of War and Mallakhamb were the two demonstration sports originally announced. But on Friday evening, where the poles and ropes of Mallakhamb were kept, now stood a boxing ring. Inside it was 37-year-old Suman Vijay Pahal absorbing punches from a junior almost half her age. In 2009, Suman was among a few Indian boxers who had gone to Sweden for an invitational tournament. One of the others was Mary Kom, Suman's senior. About 16 years later, Suman now stays in Daman – dividing her time between taking care of her kids and promoting the sport in the Union Territory. 'The main purpose behind doing this demonstration event is to encourage children to take up the sport and even include it in the Beach Games. In foreign countries, people gather in huge numbers and watch matches like a fight. They enjoy, have food, and see who can land the hardest punch. Here, not everyone can go indoors, or not all places will have indoor settings,' Suman told Sportstar about boxing's last-minute inclusion as a demonstration sport at the KIBG, where boxers from the Union Territory showed their punches. ALSO READ | Pro Kabaddi League players grapple with sand, hope for selection in PKL 2025 auction Initially, the push was to have the sport as a medal event at the tournament. But according to Vijay Pahal – the Competition Manager and Suman's husband – the Sports Authority of India (SAI) didn't allow it as they defined boxing as an indoor sport. In last year's Beach Games, which wasn't under Khelo India, boxing was a medal event. 'Boxing wasn't in the original schedule of the tournament. But seeing that the sport is one of the better performing ones from the Union Territory, this was done to showcase the talent our boxers possess. It is to show the level boxing has achieved here,' Vijay, who essentially introduced the sport to Daman in 2010 and now is a coach to most of the pugilists on display, explained. To bring back the craze with financial support According to sisters Muskan and Priyanka Banerje, who are 18 and 16 years old respectively, the sport in the Union Territory is doing just fine. The two, who wish to continue donning their gloves in hopes of playing it professionally, maintained that whoever is determined in boxing will do well. However 15-year-old Advaya Ramkushal Shukla, who began boxing after being inspired by Canelo Alvarez, felt there's a need to resurrect the excitement that was once there around the sport in the UT. 'Boxing is good in Daman but the craze is less. Facilities are there but they can be better. Better training will help take the sport forward. There was a lot of josh in pre-Covid times because the sport was new and everyone was excited. It has fizzled out now because the training isn't as frequent. Even the state of our rings isn't that great. Only a coach can make an athlete so training more often is very important,' the teenager said. READ MORE | How fearless athletes and tense parents swim through salty challenges of Open Water Swimming 'This [demonstration] will help because the craze will increase, people will watch it on the news. Boxing here will get a push,' he added. Suman, who works for the Western Railways, said how her perspective changed after shifting to this side of the country, which has helped her continue boxing without a second thought. 'As soon as I came from Haryana to this side of the country – the West – my mind completely opened up. There's no harassment, no one cares when you're going out, no fighting. This has strengthened my mind. My age isn't defining me. I don't feel that I'm coming up against younger boxers,' she, who even takes part in 10k marathons, said. Like many sports in India, boxing too faces the lack of support from the stakeholders and governments. 'The craze has increased a bit. There are a lot of athletes who come from financially poor households. If they can get scholarships, like States like Haryana provide, then it can help them. It'll motivate them. After a point, they feel like giving up because of lack of support,' Suman added. The Union Territory has shown glimpses of being able to punch above its weight at the Khelo India Youth Games level, having won a few medals in previous editions, but the region needs a lot more than just gloves to harvest pugilism's potential. Related Topics Khelo India Beach Games
India Gazette
20-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Games organised with aim that players bring glory to country: Sports Minister Mandaviya on KIBG 2025
Diu (Daman and Diu) [India], May 20 (ANI): Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya believes the 'new' India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi not only shows dreams but also gives opportunities to fulfil them. On Monday, the Beach Games, held under the ever-expanding Khelo India umbrella for the first time, were formally declared open by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, in a colourful ceremony on the Ghoghla Beach, the venue of the Games in Diu. While talking about the games, Mandaviya extended wishes to 1350-plus athletes participating in the competition. Mandaviya also confirmed that Diu will be developed as a destination for beach games and sports tourism. 'Beach Games 2025 was initiated on the coast of the Arabian Sea in Diu. Over 1,350 athletes are participating in the games. The games will be held in eight disciplines. The games are being organised for the second time. Looking at the organisation of this time and the last one, Diu is the best destination for beach games, and this is why the Prime Minister has decided that in the coming days, beach games will be organised in Diu. It will be developed as a destination for beach games and sports tourism,' Mandaviya told reporters. 'This is the new India under the leadership of PM Modi that not only shows dreams, but also gives opportunities to fulfil them. The games have been organised with the aim that the players bring glory to the country on a global level,' he added. Former India cricketer and 2007 T20 World Cup hero Joginder Sharma wished the athlete well and told ANI, 'I believe these competitions will bring glory to the tricolour on an international level. I wish the athletes win the most medals.' Former India badminton player and Commonwealth Games medalist Trupti Murgunde reflected on the 'fantastic initiative' and told ANI, 'So many states have participated, and even those, who don't have beaches around. But the enthusiasm to participate is seen. Diu is becoming the destination for beach games. This is a fantastic initiative.' (ANI)
India Gazette
20-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Khelo India Beach Games reflect transformative power of sports: PM Modi
Diu (Daman and Diu) [India], May 20 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted sports 'transformative force' and how the Khelo India Beach Games were a watershed moment in the nation's sporting history. In his message to the Games organisers in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and the Sports Authority of India, PM Modi congratulated and bestowed his wishes, saying that the Beach Games promise to make waves in India's sporting calendar. PM Modi said the choice of Diu as the venue of the Khelo India Beach Games was 'fitting' and said as quoted from a press release by SAI Media, 'An amalgamation of sun, sand and water, they enhance the physical challenge and at the same time, celebrate our coastal heritage,' said PM Modi, adding: 'As waves lash the shores and athletes compete. India will script a new sporting chapter.' The Beach Games, held under the ever-expanding Khelo India umbrella for the first time, were formally declared open by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, in a colourful ceremony on the Ghoghla Beach, the venue of the Games in Diu on Monday. The Khelo India Beach Games have brought together more than 1350 athletes from over 30 states and Union Territories. On May 24, when the Games are scheduled to end, athletes would have competed in six medal sports - soccer, volleyball, sepaktakraw, kabaddi, pencaksilat and open water swimming. Mallakhamb and tug-of-war are the two non-medal (demonstration) disciplines. Monday morning started with beach soccer games. 'In a nation as diverse as ours, sports have always held a unique power that unites cultures, regions and languages. The vibrant energy of sports goes beyond entertainment and has become a transformative force, symbolising national pride and aspirations of our youth. It is in this context that the Khelo India Beach Games hold a greater significance,' said PM Modi. The nicely crafted opening ceremony, glorifying India's amazing diversity in traditional dance forms, was witnessed by several dignitaries, including the Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep Praful Patel, the Lt Governor of Puducherry K. Kailashnathan, and Admiral DK Joshi, the Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. 'Today, we are not just inaugurating a sports event, we are heralding India's first Beach sports revolution! I believe that where there are waves, there should be passion; where there is sand, there should be a fire of enthusiasm -- and the Khelo India Beach Games have ignited that fire in all our hearts today,' said Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. 'Under the Modi government, we do not organise events just as a formality -- we are on a mission. And this mission connects sports to employment. For a Viksit Bharat, Khelo India is a sure pathway for youth to achieve their dreams,' he added. Saying that Khelo India has added more Games to the domestic calendar, Mandaviya, like PM Modi, highlighted how over the last few years, the government spared no effort to boost the sporting ecosystem through investments in infrastructure, better training facilities and supportive measures for sportspersons. Mandaviya amplified this by saying that the new Games are a way to 'strengthen the domestic sports infrastructure and send a strong message to the world that India is capable of hosting international sporting events of any scale.' Mandaviya said the Khelo India Beach Games should not be seen as a 'casual' affair and said, 'Such sports like beach volleyball not only appeal to the youth as a hobby but also offer them career opportunities. This is the first time that competitive sports are being held on such a large scale on the beaches of India.' The Union Minister said India was becoming a fitness-conscious nation, and a culture of sports has become the 'new normal'. He also highlighted the government's strong commitment to the Union Territory. (ANI)
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Diu set to host inaugral Khelo India Beach Games
After a 12-day stay in Patna for the Youth Games, the Khelo India caravan now moves to Diu for the Beach Games set to kick off on Monday, May 19, on the Ghoghla Beach. Over 1000 athletes, men and women, from 36 States and Union Territories will be participating in six medal events: beach soccer, beach volleyball, sepak takraw, beach kabaddi, pencak silat, and open water swimming. Tug of war and Mallakhamb will be there as demonstration sports. This is the first time that the Beach Games are being held under the Khelo India initiative. Last year, Diu hosted the Games – organised by the local administration of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Diu and Daman – which saw Madhya Pradesh emerge as the winner. 'Every Khelo India event is a new opportunity for young boys and girls. Not just a sports platform, Khelo India events showcase the nation's capability to stage a repertoire of sports. Not just spotting talent, Khelo India is also generating awareness on sports and fitness,' said Mayank Srivastava, the Deputy Director General of the Sports Authority of India, ahead of the six-day tournament. ALSO READ | Days after ceasefire, India to play Pakistan in Baseball West Asia Cup The opening ceremony will be attended by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State Raksha Nikhil Khadse. Praful Patel, Administrator, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep will also be among the attendees. Sportspersons like Sakshi Punia (kabaddi), Joginder Singh (hockey), Trupti Murgunde (badminton), Mamta Prabhu (table tennis) and Ravi Kumar Katulu (weightlifter) will also be present at the ceremony. A range of cultural programmes are also planned, including Gujrat's folk dance Garba, Northern India's Bhangra, Southern India's Kathakali and East's Bihu. Popular Gujrati singer Geeta Ben Rabari is also set to stage a musical performance. With Pearls – the dolphin mascot inspired by the mammal which is a constant feature at the Nagoa beach – cheering on with a surfboard in its hands, the athletes will hope this inaugural edition of the tournament under the Khelo India umbrella augurs well for the Beach Games community.
