KIUG bid to make India sports superpower: CM

VARANASI: A sober and simple ceremony brought the curtains down on the 3rd Khelo India University Games (KIUG)-2022 at the Indian Institute of Technology-Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU) campus in Varanasi on Saturday.
What initially was supposed to be a spectacular ceremony with drone show and cultural performances, was brought down to a simple ceremony in view of the train tragedy in Odisha.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was the chief guest, mourned the death of train tragedy victims.
The CM, along with Union minister for youth affairs and sports Anurag Singh Thakur and other dignitaries, observed two-minute silence to pay respect to victims. "I would like to pay respect to all those who have lost their loved ones in rail accident in Odisha," the CM said. "In the past two weeks, we had the honour to host more than 4,000 athletes from all over India who showed some excellent sportsmanship. Sports are reaching new heights under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We have won more medals in the last nine years than ever. Improvement in sports infrastructure is something to be proud of," he said.
Yogi said that sports grounds and stadiums are being made across rural and urban areas to empower and encourage more kids to take up sports. More than 65,000 sports kits have been provided already in the state.
"KIUG is an example of achieving the dream of PM Narendra Modi to make India a sporting superpower. We had big concerns over organising games due to summer heat but the excellent organisation team and players made this the most successful games ever," Yogi said.
Union sports minister Anurag Thakur said, "Uttar Pradesh has delivered the best Khelo India University Games so far. Sports and sportspersons are being given a lot of importance. Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath, the state has ensured successful organisation of the event," he said.
"A modern facility is being built in Sigra, Varanasi, which will soon be handed over to athletes. We will make India a sports superpower," he said.