In a spirited virtual address on May 4, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 7th Khelo India Youth Games, marking the first time the prestigious event is being hosted in Bihar. With over 6,000 young athletes participating across cities like Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Bhagalpur, and Begusarai, PM Modi celebrated the growing sporting spirit of India’s youth.
He praised the athletes’ passion and reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to sports development, highlighting a threefold increase in the national sports budget over the past decade—reaching nearly ₹4,000 crore this year.
PM Modi spotlighted key initiatives like the Khelo India scheme and the Target Olympic Podium (TOP) program, which aim to nurture talent at the grassroots and elevate India’s global sports performance.
Underscoring India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympics, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of consistent, inclusive competitions. He lauded the inclusion of traditional Indian sports like Gatka, Kalaripayattu, and Yogasana, alongside emerging disciplines such as Wushu and Lawn Bowls, where India has shown promising talent.
Beyond the field, PM Modi drew attention to the employment potential in the sports ecosystem, from physiotherapy to analytics and event management. He encouraged young athletes to uphold the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ and soak in Bihar’s cultural richness—including iconic local flavors like litti-chokha and makhana.
Concluding his speech, PM Modi officially declared the Games open, expressing confidence that this grand sporting celebration would ignite patriotism, unity, and sporting excellence among India’s next generation.
