Latest news with #KheloIndiaBeachGames
India Gazette
26-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Tourism will reach new heights in Kutch": PM Modi roots for hosting beach games simultaneously with Rann Utsav
Bhuj (Gujarat) [India], May 26 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants the beach games, which recently gained popularity, to be hosted simultaneously with Rann Utsav, which will act as a catalyst in boosting tourism in Kutch. In the recently concluded Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025, held in Daman and Diu, 811 athletes took part in six medal sports, including pencak silat, sepak-takraw, soccer, volleyball, open sea swimming and kabaddi. Mallakhamb, tug-of-war were the non-medal demonstration sports. Forty-six gold medals were at stake, and 31 states and Union Territories participated in the beach sports carnival. While referencing the success of KIBG 2025, PM Modi believes that if such a tournament is hosted on the coast of Mandvi Beach simultaneously with Rann Utsav, Kutch's tourism will soar to a new level. 'Tourism will grow here. I request Bhupendra bhai and all leaders present here when our Rann Utsav takes place, then why don't we hold beach competitions at the same time? Beach games have gained popularity recently,' PM Modi said on Monday in Bhuj. 'Not long ago, a national competition was held in Diu with thousands of children participating in the event. I want the beach games to take place simultaneously with Rann Utsav regularly. In a way, Kutch will soar to new heights in tourism. If you want any help, I am always present,' PM Modi added. Earlier, PM Modi held a roadshow in Gujarat's Bhuj and later inaugurated multiple development projects worth over Rs 53,400 crore. He received a warm welcome. People waved at him and greeted him enthusiastically. The Prime Minister said that the projects launched today will accelerate progress in power, ports and other infrastructure. The projects from the power sector include transmission projects for evacuating renewable power generated in the Khavda Renewable Energy Park, transmission network expansion, and an ultra-supercritical thermal power plant unit at Tapi. It also includes projects of the Kandla port and multiple road, water and solar projects of the Gujarat government. (ANI)
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Fishermen from tamil nadu win silver at khelo india beach games
They received no formal coaching, but Robin Ravi and S Bharat, members of Tamil Nadu 's fishing community who smashed their way to a silver at the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025 last week in Diu, say they got the hang of beach volleyball because "playing on the sand is second nature" to them. "We live on the beach. Walking, working, and playing on the sand is life," says 23-year-old Bharath, who hails from Palavakkam. "We also represented India at international events such as the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Continental Cup in Bangladesh in 2023, winning bronze," says Ravi of Mayiladuthurai. "Our wins have kindled a passion for the sport among young boys and girls from the fishing hamlets." The fishing community has a natural advantage, says A J Martin Sudhakar, veteran volleyball coach and administrator who was also the competition manager for the sport at KIBG 2025. "The community has given us some of the strongest players in the game. Their lifestyle of pulling fishing nets, walking on shifting sand, and constant exposure to the sun builds stamina, balance, and strength needed for beach volleyball. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like O brinde do momento Balinhas Personalizadas Compre já Undo Their lower bodies are already conditioned for the uneven terrain. That's why they excel." Bharat and Robin say the biggest deterrent for them is a lack of funds to train and travel for tournaments. "We were selected in the first round of the Asian Games last year, but because we couldn't afford tickets to attend the second round, we lost the opportunity to take part in the Olympics. Our coach, though, is helping us now," says Bharath, whose father is a plumber. He adds that he and Robin are pursuing a master's degree in hopes of finding a govt job. "If these players get govt jobs, more youngsters from the community will take up the sport professionally." Email your feedback with name and address to
India Gazette
26-05-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Khelo India Beach Games 2025: How Tamil Nadu's fisherman community is fuelling India's beach volleyball growth
Diu [India], May 26 (ANI): Volleyball powerhouse Tamil Nadu became champions in both men's and women's categories at the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025 in Diu. The South Indian state's dominance in this sport is a routine affair; however, one story stood out from the sand courts--the rise of beach volleyball players from the state's fishing hamlets. Two athletes in particular, Robin Ravi, 23, and Bharat Somu, 22, have emerged from the Palavakkam coastal community to represent India at international events like the Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Continental Cup finals in Bangladesh in 2023, winning bronze. On Friday, the duo also won the silver medal in the men's volleyball tournament at the inaugural KIBG. 'We live on the beach. It's our life. Walking, working, and playing on the sand is second nature to us,' Robin and Bharat said unanimously. Their journey, like many others in the fisherman community, began by watching seniors play volleyball in nearby makeshift courts. Both players started young - Robin at 10 and Bharat at 15. With no formal coaching in the beginning, they learned through observation and passion. 'They have been practising on a ground within their own hamlet in Palavakkam. Their dream is to represent India at the Olympics,' said A J Martin Sudhakar, veteran volleyball coach and administrator, who was also the competition manager for the sport at KIBG 2025. Sudhakar was the coach of Pradeep John and Mohan Poothathan, who gave India a ninth-place finish in Volleyball at the 2006 Asian Games. This was Indian volleyball's best-ever finish at the continental event. The fishermen's community has a natural advantage, he said. 'The fisherman community has given us some of the strongest and most resilient players in the game. Their lifestyle--pulling fishing nets, walking on shifting sand, constant exposure to sun--builds the perfect stamina, balance, and strength needed for beach volleyball,' Sudhakar told SAI Media. 'That is why they adapt to beach volleyball faster than most. Their lower bodies are already conditioned for the uneven terrain. Endurance and adaptability to sand are critical. Acclimatisation is part of the game. Fisherman boys adapt faster because they live in this weather. That's a major reason why they excel.' Bharat and Robin are both unemployed despite their international medals. 'Their families are not rich. Their fathers are fishermen and plumbers. But their biggest support has been the freedom to pursue the sport even without jobs. This however can't go on forever,' Sudhakar said. 'If they get government jobs, at least 100-150 more youngsters from the community will take up the sport seriously. 'We are organising a 10-day camp in Chennai from next month, specifically for the fisherman community. These efforts will scale our presence in national and international circuits,' he added. 'The community is very tight-knit. If one succeeds, everyone follows. It's not just volleyball. They play beach football, kabaddi, and even cricket.' Beach volleyball was introduced in the Khelo India platform for the first time this year. 'This is one of the best spectator sports. It can be developed quickly. It's time we support it fully,' Sudhakar, who has been an executive member of the Asian Volleyball Confederation's Beach Council for 12 years, said. Speaking of Tamil Nadu's continuous dominance in indoor or beach volleyball, Sudhakar added, 'We have courts even in schools. Districts like Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai have produced excellent players. 'Other coastal states should also replicate this. European countries are creating artificial sand courts in towns. We don't even need that. We have natural beaches. Just put one foot of sand and start,' Sudhakar, also the General Secretary of Tamil Nadu State Volleyball Association, said. At the Khelo India Beach Games 2025, Jammu & Kashmir and Chhattisgarh reached the quarters, before Tamil Nadu, Kerala Puducherry and Andhra Pradesh took over as semi-finalists. 'Jammu & Kashmir players from the police unit came just one day before the match, with no sand court back home. Still, they reached the quarterfinals. That's self-motivation,' continued model from Tamil Nadu is replicable for North Indian states too, he said. It starts with identifying the right environments, investing in basic infrastructure, encouraging youth through schools and universities, and giving financial security to top performers. 'The northern states can start small. You don't need a beach. Just get sand, mark a court, and begin. The Federation must send coaches, hold clinics, and engage with state sports departments. That's the way forward,' he added. Sudhakar believes a national roadmap can change this. 'Conduct seminars, train local coaches, and assign them to regional academies. Bring foreign experts from Brazil, the USA, or Europe for three-month stints. That's how the sport will rise. We don't need snow-covered indoor sand courts like Europe. We have natural beaches--let's use them wisely,' he said. 'The easiest way to grow in global volleyball is through beach volleyball. And this is the best time. We also need to employ these players and give them a future. That's how you build a sports ecosystem,' A J Martin Sudhakar concluded. (ANI)
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
State pencak silat team wins 6 medals at Khelo India Beach Games
Rudrapur: The Uttarakhand pencak silat team clinched a total of six medals — including three silver and three bronze — at the inaugural Khelo India Beach Games held at Ghoghla beach in Daman and Diu from May 19 to 24. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The event was organised by Sports Authority of India (SAI) under Union ministry of youth affairs and sports, and saw participation from several states across the country. The team, led by head coach Sharika Patel and manager Rakesh, excelled in the tanding category. Deepak Singh, Gayatri Negi, and Eshu Bharti secured silver medals, while Reeta Bhandari, Kartik Patel, and Yashodhan Rana claimed bronze. The team was further supported by chief de mission Rashika Siddiqui and nodal officer Nirmala Pant from the state sports department. General secretary of the pencak silat association of Uttarakhand, Bablu Diwaker, lauded the athletes' achievements and said, "This was the first edition of the Khelo India Beach Games, and our athletes have left a mark. Their hard work and dedication have brought glory to our state."
Mint
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Khelo India Beach Games 2025: Unique mallakhamb academy in remote Bastar, its superstar coach & athlete
Mallakhamb is one of the oldest traditional sports in India and it is alive and kicking in the heart of Chhattisgarh's Bastar district. If there is a classic case study to establish the transformative power of sports and its social impact, here's the story of Manoj Kumar and his protege Rakesh Kumar Varda. Manoj Prasad is a living example of how sports can bring about social change in troubled Naxal-infested regions of central India. Prasad, an STF (Special Task Force) officer, runs the Abujhmad Mallakhamb Academy in Narayanpur. Uniquely, chirldren from tribal communities are enrolled here and Prasad is like a father figure to them. He takes care of all expenses from accommodation to meals and equipment for training. Rakesh, one Prasad's wards, excelled in mallakhamb, a non-medal sport at the first Khelo India Beach Games underway here. At KIBG, 10 trainees of Prasad's Abujhmad Mallakhamb Academy, which was established in 2017, took part. For most of them from economically and socially marginalized backgrounds, Diu has been a window to the world. Fifteen-year-old Rakesh has been outstanding at KIBG. He had the credentials to do well and he did not fail. Rakesh won a gold medal at the Khelo India Beach Games. Since mallakhamb is a demonstration sport, this medal did not count in the overall tally but it was an endorsement of an athlete's excellence in a particular sport. Rakesh hails from the tribal village of Kutul in the Abujhmad region of Narayanpur district. He is a member of the tribal community and is the only youngster from his area to play mallakhamb. Rakesh has won over 30 medals at national and state-level competitions. Recently, Rakesh won four medals (one silver and three bronze) at the Khelo India Youth Games held in Bihar. Rakesh began practicing Mallakhamb at the age of eight. Credit for introducing him to the sport solely goes to his coach, Manoj Prasad. Rakesh's achievemnets speak volumes. In 2022, he set a Limca Book of Records entry for the longest handstand (1 minute and 6 seconds) on a Mallakhamb pole at the All India Handstand Championship. In 2023, he and his team from the Abujhmad Mallakhamb Academy won India's Got Talent Season 10. Rakesh has also won a bronze at the Khelo India Youth Games in Panchkula, a bronze at the National Games in Gujarat, a gold, silver, and two bronze medals at the Khelo India Youth Games in Ujjain and a bronze at the National Games in Goa. Rakesh has faced personal tragedy too. Just two days after returning from the Gujarat National Games, his mother passed away. However, due to lack of communication in his remote village , he received the news only after two days. Speaking to SAI Media, Rakesh said, 'My goal is to work towards the development of my region and to pass on the culture of my ancestors to future generations.' But all credit to Manoj Prasad for remaining a strong force in a sport that does not make mainstream news. 'Fulfilling the daily needs of 25 children is not an easy task but seeing the results, senior police and administrative officials living in my area have started helping wholeheartedly for some time now. Along with this, many local people have also come forward to help them. In this, the secretary of Chhattisgarh Malkhamb Sangh, Rajkumar Sharma, has a special contribution and is always willing to help us,' Prasad told SAI Media. 'I bring tribal children between 5-15 years from different areas and take care of their education and sports needs at the academy. These children come from completely illiterate families with no source of income. I want to help them enter the mainstream on the basis of their abilities so they can secure jobs and lead better lives. I'm all they have,' Prasad, a former national level sprinter, said on an emotional note. Prasad concluded by saying, 'The Khelo India Beach Games is a great initiative. I was happy to see Mallakhamb included in it. Now that the Government of India has announced the organization of Tribal Games, we are very excited. Bringing tribal communities into the mainstream is essential if India is to become a global power—and I believe it can be done through the transformative power of sports.'
