The Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) is a premier event where up-and-coming athletes from a variety of sports demonstrate their abilities and receive the support they need to succeed. The much awaited Khelo India Youth Games 2023 in Tamil Nadu is scheduled to occur in four cities: Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, and Coimbatore, from January 19–31, 2024. Here are five distinctive elements of the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 in Tamil Nadu that will set this sixth edition of the competition apart.
-First time in South India
In terms of the Khelo India Youth Games, this is a first for both Tamil Nadu and South India. Originally envisioned as the Khelo India School Games in 2018, the event has expanded in scope and is now known as the Khelo India Youth Games. According to a press release from Khelo India Youth Games Tamil Nadu, nearly 5,500 athletes from all of the Indian states and Union Territories will compete in this edition of the Games.
-Historical relevance and Woman as a mascot for the first time
Major multi-disciplinary games typically have mascots based on their national animals or birds. Nonetheless, Tamil Nadu is the first state to highlight its rich traditional past and hopes to inspire the next generation with tales of the valor of the great independence warrior Rani Velu Nachiyar, popularly known as “Veera Mangai” (the brave woman). The first Indian queen to fight the East India Company was Rani Velu Nachiyar, whose achievements have been highlighted in textbooks to inspire students to study Veera Mangai’s role in the liberation movement as well as her own.
-Squash making its Khelo India debut
Since the Squash Rackets Federation of India opened its flagship India Squash Academy in Chennai back in 1990, there has been a unique tie between squash and the city. Since then, the state has given birth to a number of famous people on a national and worldwide scale and has hosted high-profile squash competitions, such as the Squash World Cup last year. Complying with the city’s longstanding affinity for the game, Khelo India has included the racquet sport on this edition’s roster, which is fast-paced. Additionally, squash has been selected as one of the five new sports to be added to the Los Angeles Olympics schedule in 2028.
-Silambam makes debut as a demo sport
One of the most ancient weapon-based martial arts styles in Tamil Nadu, known as Silambam, has been practiced there since the 4th century BC and is heavily mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature. This martial art style, which takes its name from its main weapon, the bamboo staff, has been approved by the Union Sports Ministry as part of the “Promotion of inclusivity through sports” program.
Nearly a thousand participants will demonstrate their proficiency in this unusual kind of martial art as a demo sport at all Khelo India locations.
-Tamil Nadu to host all sports disciplines within the State
Due to insufficient infrastructure, the shooting and cycling events at the previous two Khelo India Youth Games had to be staged outside of the host nation. Cycling was moved back to Delhi when Madhya Pradesh hosted the Youth Games in 2022, while shooting and cycling were held in Delhi for the Haryana Youth Games.
But Tamil Nadu will be the first state in the last three editions to be able to host all the sporting disciplines, including cycling, which will be conducted at the state-of-the-art velodrome at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and sporting University (TNPESU) in Melakottaiyur. The best aspiring marksmen in the state and nation will be competing in shooting contests at Velachery and Alamadi, where they will be vying for the bull’s eye.
