Why in the News?
- Bihar will host the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) and Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) in 2025.
Key Points:
Khelo India Youth Games:
About:
- KIYG is a national-level, multi-disciplinary sports competition for school and college students in India.
- The games are held annually in January or February and are part of the government's Khelo India initiative.
- It aims to promote sports culture and identify sporting talent at the grassroots level.
- The previous 5 editions of the Youth Games have been held in Delhi, Pune, Guwahati, Panchkula and Bhopal.
Format:
- It is held in two categories, namely under-17-year-old school students and under-21 college students.
- It operates in a team championship format, wherein the medals earned by individual athletes or teams contribute to the overall medal tally of their respective state or Union Territory (UT).
- Upon the event's conclusion, the state or UT securing the highest count of gold medals is declared the winner.
Khelo India Para Games:
=> The Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) is aimed at empowering para athletes in India.
=> It is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Sports Authority of India, and other bodies.
=> It is part of the broader Khelo India Initiative.
=> Khelo India was introduced by the Indian government in 2017.
Sports Infrastructure in Bihar:
=> Bihar has 38 Khelo India Centres and one Khelo India State Centre of Excellence, which provide facilities for athletes at various levels.
=> There are three Sports Authority of India Training Centres catering to the state’s sporting needs.