- Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025 declared open by Hon’ble Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma
- 222 Universities and 4448 athletes to participate in the Nov 24–Dec 5 Games across seven cities of Rajasthan
- 296 gold medals in 23 events at stake
Jaipur, November 24: The Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025 got off to a colourful start at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Monday evening. This is the fifth edition of KIUG, held under the aegis of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) 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 in Rajasthan, will see 4448 athletes from 222 Universities compete in 23 medal sports. Kho-kho will be a demonstration event as part of efforts to promote indigenous sports. A total of 296 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 Bhajanlal Sharma 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.
“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,”
In the last edition of the Khelo India University Games held across North-east India, Chandigarh University topped with 66 medals (28 gold). Lovely Professional University and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar finished No. 2 and 3. Eight Games records were created, all in athletics.
“In every major sporting nation in the world, universities are the talent nurseries — and this change has also begun in India. These Khelo India University Games will move further in the direction of strengthening those possibilities. Lovely Professional University sent 11 athletes to Tokyo 2020, and 24 to Paris Olympics 2024. Just imagine: when 21% of the entire Indian contingent comes from a single university, then if every university in the country uses its full potential, imagine what we can achieve.”
“From DAV College, Jalandhar, 27 Olympians have emerged; from Delhi University, nine players reached the Paris Olympics. What greater proof can there be that when universities produce Olympians, our path to becoming a global sporting superpower by 2047 becomes clear.”
“Friends, at this moment 4.5 crore (45 million) young people are studying in different universities across the country. For me, this is not just data — it is the greatest strength of New India, its greatest confidence, and its greatest competitive edge. If we tap into this potential correctly, it can make us a global sporting power. Our universities are no longer just centres of learning; they are now the strongest engines of the country’s sporting revolution.”
“I agree that we are the land of Takshashila and Nalanda Universities — but we are also the country of legends like Major Dhyan Chand, Milkha Singh, and Neeraj Chopra. Along with our academic excellence, we must now become a nation that celebrates our sporting excellence as well.”
The opening ceremony was marked by grandeur. Two international sportspersons — Arundhati Chaudhary (boxing) and Rajesh Chauhan (compound archery) — handed the Viksit Rajasthan smart torch to Shri Sharma and Dr Mandaviya. The torch is solar-powered, equipped with a built-in camera, and travelled the length and breadth of Rajasthan before culminating its journey at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
“It’s a matter of great pride to be hosting the Games and winning the rights despite the tough competition from various States/UTs. I thank Dr Mandaviya for letting us take PM Modi’s vision for a young India forward.”
“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.”