Diu set to host inaugral Khelo India Beach Games
Over 1000 athletes, men and women, from 36 States and Union Territories will be participating in six medal events: beach soccer, beach volleyball, sepak takraw, beach kabaddi, pencak silat, and open water swimming. Tug of war and Mallakhamb will be there as demonstration sports.
This is the first time that the Beach Games are being held under the Khelo India initiative. Last year, Diu hosted the Games – organised by the local administration of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Diu and Daman – which saw Madhya Pradesh emerge as the winner.
'Every Khelo India event is a new opportunity for young boys and girls. Not just a sports platform, Khelo India events showcase the nation's capability to stage a repertoire of sports. Not just spotting talent, Khelo India is also generating awareness on sports and fitness,' said Mayank Srivastava, the Deputy Director General of the Sports Authority of India, ahead of the six-day tournament.
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The opening ceremony will be attended by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State Raksha Nikhil Khadse. Praful Patel, Administrator, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep will also be among the attendees.
Sportspersons like Sakshi Punia (kabaddi), Joginder Singh (hockey), Trupti Murgunde (badminton), Mamta Prabhu (table tennis) and Ravi Kumar Katulu (weightlifter) will also be present at the ceremony.
A range of cultural programmes are also planned, including Gujrat's folk dance Garba, Northern India's Bhangra, Southern India's Kathakali and East's Bihu. Popular Gujrati singer Geeta Ben Rabari is also set to stage a musical performance.
With Pearls – the dolphin mascot inspired by the mammal which is a constant feature at the Nagoa beach – cheering on with a surfboard in its hands, the athletes will hope this inaugural edition of the tournament under the Khelo India umbrella augurs well for the Beach Games community.
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