Exhorting the 308-strong Kerala contingent to bring out their best at the Khelo India Youth Games starting in Pune on January 9, Sports Minister E.P. Jayarajan has said the best performers at the national event would be extended all support by the government.

Speaking after a visit to the coaching camp for the Pune-bound athletic and football teams here, Mr. Jayarajan said those putting up a splendid performance in the second edition of the event would receive the full backing of the State government, enabling them to graduate to higher levels in their career.

Full-scale coaching camps have been launched across the State as a special initiative for over 308 players who will compete in 14 disciplines, including athletics, in the Khelo India Youth Games-2019, scheduled from January 9 to 20.

Principal Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs, A. Jayatilak and Director, Sports and Youth Affairs, Sanjayan Kumar accompanied the Minister during the visit.

A total of 25 coaches, 20 managers, four physiotherapists, five psychologists and one medical officer are also attending the camps.

First contingent

The first contingent from Kerala for the event will leave for Pune on January 6 and the 69-member athletics team the next day.

Kerala came third in athletics and eighth in the overall medal tally in the inaugural edition of the sporting extravaganza held in Delhi last year.

The camps in most disciplines for the State contingent for the event are progressing in full swing. The camp for the athletics team, which includes 45 females, began at the University Stadium and Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium here on January 4.

The camps for basketball, football, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, swimming, wrestling, judo, weightlifting and gymnastics are also under way at different centres.