Khelo India games: Haryana earn top honours

Wednesday 14th February 2018 04:05 EST
 
 

Khelo India School Games (KISG), part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious vision to make sports more popular across the nation, ended on Friday last. After an intense battle among the participants, Haryana emerged as the overall champions, finishing with 102 medals, which included 38 gold, 26 silver and 38 bronze medals. It was a three-way fight between Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi vying for the top honours, but the boxers from Haryana produced a dominant show on the concluding day to pip their rivals at the post.

Maharashtra finished with 111 medals, but due to their lower gold medal count (36), they had to contend with the second spot. Delhi finished at the third position with 94 medals, which included 25 gold, 29 silver and 40 bronze.

Starting the day a gold behind Maharashtra, Haryana pugilists cornered 10 of 26 gold medals on offer as the state athletes accounted for overall 15 gold in different disciplines, including two in judo and one each from archery, football and hockey. Six of Haryana's boxers finished with silver. The winner's trophy was presented by sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Haryana's education, tourism and parliamentary affairs minister Ramvilas Sharma.

Khelo India has the power to bring a significant change in the way sports is perceived in the country. The pyramid structure of Khelo India will have a strong and lasting impact at the grassroots level. It's important that we reach out to the kids and encourage them to go out and play. That's what Khelo India is intended to achieve. I am sure the concept will help to spot a good crop of fresh talent in greater numbers.


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