Latest news with #KheloIndiaScheme
India Gazette
17 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurates residential wing of Weightlifting Warriors Academy
Modi Nagar (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 7 (ANI): Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday inaugurated the residential wing of the Weightlifting Warriors Academy, the centre where Olympic Silver Medalist Mirabai Chanu trains, marking a significant milestone in India's Olympic preparations for 2036. The state-of-the-art facility, established by Chief National Coach Vijay Sharma in September 2024, will now provide accommodation for up to 60 athletes in 30 fully equipped rooms. Currently, 40 young athletes aged 8-14 years and 15 elite athletes are also training at the academy. Speaking at the inauguration, Rijiju congratulated the team and expressed his confidence in the academy. 'I would like to congratulate the team at Weightlifting Warriors that the residential centre has opened. I am not just wishing you all good luck, but I have faith that a great champion will emerge from here. I have seen a lot of academies in my life... but the way Vijay has run this academy with dedication, and the way they work hard to make it a success. I have never seen that anywhere else,' he said, as quoted from a press release by Weightlifting Warriors. Olympic Silver Medalist Mirabai Chanu, who trains at the academy, expressed her commitment to mentoring the next generation and said, 'The 2036 Olympics is not just a dream for us, it is a commitment for our country. My young athletes, remember that when you train, you take the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians with you.' Chief National Coach Vijay Sharma shared his vision: 'The dream I had of an academy has come true today. With Mirabai's training, these kids can learn something and perform well in the next Olympics.' The academy operates under the Khelo India Scheme with support from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India, Olympic Gold Quest, and the Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF). (ANI)
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Khelo India Beach Games set to feature about 1000 athletes
With the focus on keeping the youth engaged in sports, the Khelo India Beach Games will be held in Diu, Dadra, Nagar Haveli and Daman from May 19 to 24. Organised under the Sports Competition and Talent Development section of the Khelo India Scheme, the Beach Games will feature football, volleyball, sepak takraw, kabaddi, Pencak Silat and open water swimming. Mallakhamb and Tug of War will be demonstration sports. Competition is expected to feature about 1000 athletes from across the country. The government is keen to have fixed venues and a fixed calendar for different Khelo India Games to give talented youth maximum opportunity to gain attention, recognition and get on a pathway to progress. The government is keen to train the best talent across different levels at world-class centres to achieve both the short term and long terms goals of international excellence. The corporate sector has assured support in a big way. The government has categorically stated that it was not just the financial support that it sought to achieve with the collaboration of the corporate world, but to generate a healthy sports ecosystem in the country. To further amplify the intent to support sports, the government is understood to be studying the options of allowing persons of Indian origin to represent the country in sports, in line with the stipulations of the international sports federations. Apart from its drive for, 'play for India', the government is also ready to open its doors to, 'play in India', to encourage smooth conduct of international sports events in the country to further strengthen the ecosystem. The sports ministry is proactive in resolving the conflicts in various national federations so that the sports could get back on track and make meaningful progress.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Samuel hopes gold to be a stepping stone for India future
1 2 Aizawl: In a remarkable display of grit and determination, 17-year-old Samuel Zadeng of Mizoram struck gold at the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 in Bihar, clinching the top spot in the boys' 70kg boxing category . His victory over Uttar Pradesh's Peaveen Yadav, secured by a commanding 5-0 unanimous decision, marked Mizoram's maiden medal at this edition of the national youth sporting triumph is more than just a sporting milestone — it is a hard-earned reward for a youngster balancing athletic dreams with personal hardships. Hailing from Aizawl's Bawngkawn locality, Samuel has been fighting a battle far beyond the boxing ring. His father, ZD Lalremsanga, a former national-level boxer, has been grappling with a serious neurological disorder since 2019, which has left the family dependent on a modest army pension and burdened with medical limited resources for training and equipment, Samuel's pursuit of boxing excellence has been driven by sheer perseverance. His bronze at Youth National Boxing Championships in Greater Noida last month was a sign of his rising potential, and now, the Khelo India gold has propelled him into national attention."This medal is very special for me and my family. Getting into the Khelo India Scheme is my next goal. It would mean financial assistance and better training facilities, which we desperately need," Samuel said after his selected, the scheme will provide him with a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000, easing the family's financial strain and giving him access to structured coaching support. Samuel's journey to the top has been a gradual climb. A three-time silver medallist in the state-level competitions, he finally captured his first state gold this year, signalling a breakthrough in his young career.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Gymnasts Ashish Kumar feels Khelo India Youth Games 2025 provides athletes with fantastic opportunities
As a member of the Sports Authority of India's Talent Identification and Development Committee , the 34-year-old Indian gymnast is making a significant contribution. Ashish Kumar, who also won a medal at the 2010 Asian Games, claimed that the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Bihar, where the gymnastics tournament was held, provided the athletes with fantastic opportunities. "Now the onus is on the players, coaches, and the federation to tap into this success and take it further. They have to ensure next-level performance," he said. The Khelo India Scheme has given opportunities to gymnasts in their early teens, many of whom are exhibiting potential. According to Ashish Kumar, who is situated in Prayagraj, these athletes need to put in more effort in order to advance to the next level. "Yes, we are seeing good performances from the athletes. But the real job starts now - proper development has to be ensured, especially among the boys," the 2010 Asian Games medallist said. Ashish is a member of the TIDC, which is essential in finding talented athletes who may be inducted as Khelo India Athletes and receive training at National Centres of Excellence . He believed here should be an overhaul of training philosophy in the sub-junior category, especially for gymnasts under 14. "At that age, the body recovers quickly. Therefore, from the initial years itself, we have to stress on increasing their loading capacity with proper strength and conditioning schedule. If we keep things light early on, then by 25, their body won't be able to handle the load," Ashish Kumar explained. Kumar emphasized physical training, recalling his own experience and the days he spent learning from Vladimir Chertkov, a foreign coach. "When we were at the CWG camp in 2010, coach Vladimir made us push our limits," he said. "He taught us how crucial it was to have a body capable of handling repeated strain. Like in an exam, you memorise something 20-30 times for perfection. In gymnastics, it's the same - you repeat movements till your body owns them," Ashish added. Ashish Kumar also highlighted that male gymnasts need a sharper roadmap to catch up. "Improvement is needed in male gymnastics. We've seen success among women recently, but men have a long way to go. That's where Khelo India can make the biggest impact - by identifying boys with potential and making them long-term athletes," he opined. "However, the fire must come from within. You can give players the best facilities and equipment, but if they don't have that fire inside to achieve something bigger - like an international medal - nothing works. Many just feel content after getting a national medal. That mindset has to change," Ashish said.
Mint
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Samuel Zadeng's boxing gold puts Mizoram on Khelo India Youth Games medal tally; Haryana, Delhi dominate
For 17-year-old Samuel Zadeng, boxing isn't just a sport, it's a legacy and a lifeline. Born to former national level boxer ZD Lalrensanga, the Mizoram teenager has taken his first big step towards carving a name of his own, by clinching the gold in the boys' 70kg category at the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) in Bihar. His gritty 5-0 (Unanimous Decision) victory over Peaveen Yadav of Uttar Pradesh in Wednesday's final helped Mizoram open their account in the tournament. Sagar Thakur of Himachal Pradesh and Anshul Khasa of Haryana settled for the bronze medals in the weight class. But for Samuel, the medal is just part of the mission. Fresh off a bronze at the Youth National Boxing Championships in Greater Noida, the young pugilist is determined to earn a place in the Khelo India Scheme, which would grant him a monthly stipend of ₹ 10,000 and access to improved training facilities. It's a goal driven not just by ambition, but by circumstances. Samuel's family lives on a modest army pension drawn by his father, who has been battling a neurological condition since 2019. The illness left him in intensive care for weeks, and even now, he remains mostly confined to their home in the Bawnkaun locality of Aizawl. A significant portion of the family's income goes toward his treatment, leaving little for Samuel's training needs. 'This is my first time at the Khelo India Youth Games,' a visibly elated Samuel shared after his win. 'I came here focused, after the bronze at Nationals. The priority is to get into the Khelo India Scheme, it would ease the pressure on my family and give me the platform to grow as a boxer,' Samuel told SAI Media. A three-time silver medallist at the state level, Samuel finally broke through with a gold in 2024, becoming the reigning state champion in his weight category. The younger of two siblings, his elder sister works in Chennai as an air hostess for a private airline, Samuel draws strength from his family's legacy. Both his father and uncle were boxers, and now it's his turn to carry the mantle. 'My dream is to represent India at the highest level. KIYG is only the beginning of that journey. This medal is not just a reward, it's a message to myself that I belong here,' he said. For Samuel, every punch is not just a fight in the ring, it's a fight for a future, for his family and for a shot at putting Mizoram on the world boxing map. While Samuel made headlines for Mizoram, Haryana pugilists dominated the boys' events, bagging six of the 10 gold medals on offer. Delhi girls were equally impressive, clinching five of the 10 golds across different categories. In the boys' 55kg final, Chandigarh's Harsh edged past Delhi's Tikam Singh with a 4-1 split decision. Despite a strong start from Tikam, Harsh mounted a fierce comeback in the second and third rounds, landing a barrage of jabs and hooks to take the win. Haryana's Jaitan and Uttar Pradesh's Sundram Yadav won bronze in the category. Among the girls, Manipur's Radhamani Longjam fought her way to a narrow 3-2 split decision win over Punjab's Muskan in the 57kg final. Haryana's Nisha also showcased resilience in her 3-2 victory over Rajasthan's Jigyasa Patel to claim the 65kg gold.
