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Jaipur, 24 November 2025: Rajasthan is set for a landmark moment in its sporting journey as the 5th Khelo India University Games (KIUG) Rajasthan 2025 began on Monday in Jaipur. For the first time, Rajasthan is hosting the country’s largest university-level multi-sport event - held under the aegis of the Sports Authority of India in collaboration with the Rajasthan government, the State Sports Council, the Association of Indian Universities and with technical support from the national sports federations. Poornima University is the host University.
The November 24 to December 5 Games, to be held across seven cities across Rajasthan, will see a whopping 4448 athletes from 222 Universities compete in 23 medal sports. Kho-kho will be a demonstration event and as per the Union sports ministry’s plans to promote indigenous sports. Two hundred and ninety-six gold medals will be up for grabs.
The opening ceremony at the SMS stadium saw a riot of colours. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma and declared KIUG 2025 open in the presence of Hon’ble Union minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, senior ministers, administrators, SAI officials and fans.
Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma said Rajasthan thanked the Union Sports Ministry for awarding the hosting rights of Khelo India University Games 2025 to Rajasthan. “It’s a matter of great to be hosting the Games and winning the rights despite the tough competitions from various States/UTs. I thank Dr Mandaviya for letting us take PM Modi’s vision for a young India forward.”
Shri Sharma added: “We are seeing the vision of PM Modi unfurl in front of our eyes. PM Modi saw the talent in our youth and Khelo India is that platform for athletes to demonstrate their talent. Khelo India is an equal opportunity platform and everyone can play and show their talent. Dreams keep the fire burning and you have come here to challenge the odds and learn from wins and losses.”
Hon’ble Union minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, said the Games will play a key role in preparing India’s next generation of champions. “As I stand here, what I see is not just a crowd of athletes — I see the hopes of 1.4 billion Indians. You will be the sporting heroes of tomorrow. You are the ones who will carry the nation’s tricolour to podiums across the world. With this hope, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the athletes participating in this event, to the organisers, to the ministers of the Rajasthan government, and to all colleagues associated with sports administration,” said Dr Mandaviya.
Expressing Rajasthan’s commitment, Hon’ble Minister, Youth Affairs & Sports Department, Government of Rajasthan, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said, “For the first time, Rajasthan is hosting the Games across seven cities on such a grand scale. This is exactly the platform envisioned by our Prime Minister - one where young athletes can compete fearlessly and grow. Rajasthan is committed to nurturing talent, shaping future champions and building a strong sports ecosystem.”
The opening ceremony was marked by pomp and grandeur. Two international sportsperson – boxer Arundhati Chaudhary and compound archer Rajesh Chauhan – handed the Viksit Rajasthan smart torch to Shri Sharma and Dr Mandaviya. The torch is solar-powered and has a built-in camera and it travelled the length and breadth of Rajasthan before culminating its journey at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium this evening.
In the last edition of the Khelo India University Games held across North-east India, Chandigarh University topped with 66 medals (28 golds). Lovely Professional University and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar finished No. 2 and 3. Eight Games records were created and all in athletics.
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