Khelo India Para Games 2023 Logo and Mascot Ujjwala Launched

The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, officially launched the logo and mascot, Ujjwala, for the inaugural Khelo India Para Games 2023 in New Delhi. The unveiling ceremony featured the presence of notable athletes and para-athletes.

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Former Indian Women’s Hockey Team Captain Rani Rampal, freestyle wrestler and Olympian bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt, professional wrestler Sarita Mor, and professional boxer Akhil Kumar were among the attendees. The event was further graced by the presence of star para-athletes like Pramod Bhagat, Bhavina Patel, Avani Lekhara, and Sumit Antil, adding to the significance of the special occasion.

Mascot of Khelo India Para Games 2023

The official mascot of Khelo India Para Games 2023 is ‘Ujjwala,’ represented by a sparrow. This small bird symbolizes the pride of Delhi, and its unique portrayal signifies determination and empathy. Ujjwala, as the mascot, serves as a reminder that strength takes various forms, and the human spirit is unbreakable.

Inaugural Khelo India Para Games 2023

The inaugural Khelo India Para Games 2023, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from 10th to 17th December, aims to identify talent and offer opportunities for young and aspiring para-athletes to showcase their skills. The event will feature competitions in seven disciplines across three Sports Authority of India (SAI) stadiums. Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, highlighted the achievements of Indian para-athletes, winning an unprecedented 111 medals at the recent Asian Para Games, and emphasized the annual continuity of the Khelo India Para Games to support these athletes.

Significance

The first-ever Khelo India – Para Games 2023 is anticipated to draw over 1400 participants from 32 states, union territories, and the Services Sports Control Board. Athletes will compete in seven disciplines, namely para athletics, para shooting, para archery, para football, para-badminton, para table tennis, and para weightlifting. The competitions will be hosted at three Sports Authority of India (SAI) stadiums, namely the IG Stadium, the Shooting Range in Tughlaqabad, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

History of Khelo India Games

The Khelo India Games are a series of multi-sport events organized by the Government of India to promote sports and fitness among youth. The games were first held in 2018 and have since become a major sporting event.

Since 2018, a total of 11 Khelo India Games have been successfully held, including 5 Khelo India Youth Games, 3 Khelo India University Games, and 3 Khelo India Winter Games. Shri Anurag Singh Thakur emphasized that these Games have played a crucial role in talent identification across the country, contributing to India’s performance in major multi-discipline events. With the introduction of the first-ever Khelo India! Para Games, the focus extends to identifying and supporting talented para-athletes, aiming to achieve significant results for the nation. The budget for Khelo India, sanctioned by the Central Government, has seen an increase from Rs 3,000 crores for the last four years to over Rs 3300 crores for the next five years.

Shubham Mittal

Shubham Mittal is a renowned current affairs writer and expert in government exam preparation, inspiring readers with insightful articles and guiding aspirants with his expertise.

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