Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore Praises Khelo India Scheme at Army Sports Conclave
New Delhi [India], September 30: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, a former shooter, Olympic medalist, and Rajasthan’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, lauded the central government’s efforts to uplift sportspersons through the Khelo India scheme. He compared it to American college games, which have made the USA a major force in sports.
Speaking at the Army Sports Conclave in New Delhi, Rathore said, “We used to hear that American players are great. This is because American College Games are held. Colleges in America accept athletes and give them time to develop. People from all over the world want to go there and play.”
Rathore highlighted that the Khelo India scheme, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, provides top athletes with essential services like training, coaches, and proper communication with federations. He said, “Khelo India is at the same level as American college games and competitions. Just like a top athlete needs managers, PM Modi and his government are providing ‘client services’ to top players while targeting the Olympic podium, like training, expenses, talking to federations, coach providing, sports science, etc.”
Khelo India, launched in 2018, includes various competitions such as Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India Winter Games, and Khelo India University Games. The scheme also offers world-class facilities to athletes. Additionally, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) supports athletes in achieving their Olympic dreams.
These initiatives have led to India’s highest-ever medal tallies at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, with seven and six medals respectively. India’s Paralympics performance also improved, with 29 medals at the Paris Paralympics. In the Asian Games and Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, India crossed the 100-medal mark for the first time, securing 107 and 111 medals respectively. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, India won 61 medals, including 22 golds.
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Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore -: Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is a famous Indian shooter who won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics. He is also a politician and has served as the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Khelo India Scheme -: The Khelo India Scheme is a program started by the Indian government to promote sports and fitness among young people. It helps athletes with training, coaching, and other support.
Army Sports Conclave -: The Army Sports Conclave is a meeting or event where people discuss sports-related topics, especially those involving the Indian Army.
American college games -: American college games are sports competitions held in colleges in the United States. They are very popular and help young athletes get better at sports.
Olympics -: The Olympics are a big international sports event where athletes from all over the world compete in various sports. They happen every four years.
Paralympics -: The Paralympics are like the Olympics but for athletes with disabilities. They also happen every four years, right after the Olympics.
Asian Games -: The Asian Games are a sports event where athletes from all over Asia compete in different sports. They happen every four years.
Commonwealth Games -: The Commonwealth Games are a sports event where athletes from countries that were once part of the British Empire compete. They happen every four years.