The highly-anticipated fourth edition of the Khelo India University Games 2023 is expected to have exciting contests at Assam’s International-standard venues and will see a boost by the recent introduction of the High-Performance Sports Training and Rehabilitation Centre at the Sarusajai Sports Complex — the centre of most sporting action at the KIUG.
The Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) in 2020 was a massive success and paved the way for the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) where more than 3,500 top athletes from across 200 universities will battle for the top honours over the next 15 days starting from February 19.
International-standard venues for Khelo India University Games
“As far as the venues for the Khelo India University Games are concerned, the stadiums at the Sarusajai Sports Complex are of international standard. The Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium has previously hosted a few FIFA Under-17 World Cup games, the South Asian Games, KIYG and Senior National Athletics championships. Accordingly, the Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor stadium has hosted global competitions like the AIBA Women’s Youth World Championships, besides the BWF 100 Series Badminton Championships last December”, explained Bokul Kalita, Estate Office, Sports Authority of Assam.
“Similarly, the Dr Zakir Hussain Aquatics Complex recently hosted the senior national swimming championships, besides the South Asian Games and the KIYG. With all the stadiums hosting prestigious events frequently, this is a trailer to the standard of venues expected at the KIUG,” Kalita further said.
While this is only the list of venues at the Sarusajai Sports Complex, there’s a lengthy list of other high-standard venues in the rest of the city and across the state in general. The Chachal Tennis Complex that will host the tennis events has been home to several ITF events over the years.
Meanwhile, the shooting range at Kahilipara is the only one in the Northeast, and has hosted several national shooting competitions. The Nehru Stadium is also set to host some of the competitions of the KIUG 2023.
Former athlete Shhaurya Sarma, serving as a Deputy Secretary of the Sports and Youth Welfare Department announced the launch of the High-Performance Sports Training and Rehabilitation Centres across the state as well.
Khel Maharan
It has come to light that adding to the list of initiatives, the state government recently conducted the Khel Maharan to promote the spirit of sports, healthy competition and unity across the state. The event witnessed the participation of close to 50 lakh sports enthusiasts, spanning all age groups and skill levels.
It was organized into four distinct stages starting at the Gram Panchayat or Municipal Level and culminated in the grand State Level event, ensuring that sports enthusiasts from all corners of Assam can participate and compete.
“After completion of the Khelo India University Games, we will shift our focus on conducting the final stage, which is the state level competitions of Khel Maharan. The basic idea of conducting the Khel Maharan is to identify the talents from the grassroots level (by a special talent hunt team) and in due course nurture these athletes at the residential training academies and other centres,” he commented.
The medal count of the state at the National Games has doubled in a year. At the 36th Gujarat National Games in 2022, Assam finished with 28 medals, and in Goa, last year the tally went up to 56.
