BENGALURU: The cream of India's young sports talent, led by Olympians Srihari Nataraj (swimming) and Dutee Chand (athletics) will vie for top honours at the 2nd Khelo India University Games beginning here on April 24.
The Games, postponed last year due to Covid-19, will see more than 4,500 athletes in action from 189 universities. The total number of personnel, including support staff and officials, at the 10-day mega event concluding on May 3, will be over 7,500. Besides hosts Jain University, the other venues are Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Gen Cariappa Hockey Stadium and the SAI South Centre.
A total of 275 gold medals will be awarded in 20 disciplines including in yoga and mallakhamb, the two new additions to the KIUG.
State sports minister KC Narayana Gowda said work is on in full swing for the smooth conduct of the Games. "The budding stars can experience a unique Games and we want to ensure the best infrastructure for them to compete. The participants will be accommodated at the Jain University Campus, Art of Living centre and also at the various government guest houses in the city,” Gowda told reporters at a press briefing at the Vidhana Soudha on Monday.
Union sports secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, who was here to monitor the preparations along with SAI DG Sandip Pradhan, said the ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has sanctioned a budget of Rs 35 crore for the Games of the total estimate of more than Rs 50 crore.
NADA to ensure clean Games
"The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) will conduct awareness sessions on doping for athletes to ensure that the Games are clean and fair,” Chaturvedi said.
Asked about the scale of tests at the Games, the secretary said: "There will be standard testing procedures in place but we feel the stress should be on educating the youngsters about the perils of doping. It will be a mix of testing and spreading awareness at the Games."
She also said a mobile application has been developed for the Games that will help the participants during their stay in Bengaluru. Vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu will be chief guest for the inaugural function.
