Commends Bihar for Successfully Hosting KIYG 2025

With seven gold, 11 silver and 18 bronze, hosts Bihar magnificently lifted themselves to 15^th position from 21^st in the last KIYG in Tamil Nadu 

Patna, May 15: Having won the team championship in Madhya Pradesh (2023) and Tamil Nadu (2024), Maharashtra completed a hattrick of titles when they finished on top of the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 medal tally. The seventh edition of KIYG, which began on May 4, ended on Thursday at Patna’s Patliputra Sports Complex. 

The Hon’ble Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated Bihar for hosting the Games. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the state of Bihar for successfully hosting the Khelo India Youth Games 2025. The impeccable organization and vibrant energy witnessed throughout the event have truly showcased Bihar’s emerging role in India’s sporting journey.”

For Medal Tally of KIYG 2025, click: https://youth.kheloindia.gov.in/medal-tally

For Khelo India Youth Games 2025 records, click: https://youth.kheloindia.gov.in/records

Dr Mandaviya added: “My special congratulations to Maharashtra for securing the top position, followed by Haryana in second place and Karnataka in third. Each of these states have demonstrated outstanding commitment to nurturing sporting talent and fostering a culture of excellence.”

In these under-18 Games, Maharashtra won gold medals across 14 sports with bulk of them coming from athletics (10), swimming (7), gymnastics (7), archery (6) and weightlifting (5). Maharashtra won a total of 158 medals that included 47 silver and 53 bronze. Several athletes who excelled for Maharashtra, particularly the weightlifters, archers and fencers, train at Khelo India centres or National Centres of Excellence of the Sports Authority of India in Aurangabad, Patiala and Sonepat.

“But beyond the medal tally, it is important to remember that in sports, no one truly loses — you either win or you learn. Every athlete who competed at KIYG 2025 is a champion in their own right, contributing to the spirit of healthy competition and national pride,” said Dr Mandaviya.

The Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Srimati Raksha Nikhil Khadse were among the dignitaries present at the closing ceremony. Two hundred and eighty-five gold medals across 27 disciplines were decided during the 12-day Games and Maharashtra accounted for 58 of them. 

Haryana, which was third in the Tamil Nadu edition last year, finished runners-up in Bihar with 39 gold medals, bulk of them coming from wrestling (8), boxing (8), fencing (7) and athletics (6). Rajasthan finished third with 24 gold medals, seven more than Karnataka (fourth). Last year’s hosts Tamil Nadu finished sixth with 15 golds. Delhi, with 16 golds, finished fifth.

Hosts Bihar showed massive improvement in these Games. Events were staged in five cities spread across the state and Delhi. Bihar’s athletes won 36 medals, seven of them gold, to finish a creditable 15^th, up from 21^st in Tamil Nadu. In terms of medals won, Bihar showed a 620% jump, an eloquent statement of the work that the state is doing on sports. Rugby (2), Athletics (2), Thank-ta (2) and Sepak-takraw (1) produced the gold medals. All these sports have athletes coming through Khelo India’s various talent spotting and development programmes like the ASMITA women’s league.

Dr. Mandaviya said: “Over the past decade, Indian sports have undergone a remarkable transformation. Under the Khelo India initiative, we have created a dynamic and inclusive sporting ecosystem with regular national-level competitions. Taking this vision forward, we will soon introduce a series of Khelo India Games throughout the year — including formats like the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) and others. These events will further strengthen our domestic sports structure and serve as a vital talent pipeline as we gear up for the Commonwealth Games 2030 and the Olympic Games 2036. India is on the move, and the youth are at the heart of this sporting revolution.”

Srimati Khadse also lauded Bihar for hosting KIYG 2025. “With the grand success of the Khelo India Youth Games 2025, Bihar has showcased its capability to host national sporting events with excellence and enthusiasm, setting a new benchmark for the future,” said Srimati Khadse, adding: “I am confident that numerous youngsters in Bihar and across India will feel inspired by the efforts of the athletes in the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 Bihar and will take up some sport or the other to contribute to India’s sporting ecosystem.”

One of the primary objectives of the Khelo India Youth Games is spot and develop talent who can serve India in global events in future. With India keen to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, several athletes have already been spotted by SAI’s talent development team. One hundred and eight-six Khelo India athletes were among the 5071 – 50% of them being girls – who took part in these Games.

Out of the 26 records created in Khelo India Youth Games 2025, eight were created by girls. Out of the eight, five were national youth records in weightlifting, an event where Indian girls have huge potential to win international medals.

ABOUT KHELO INDIA YOUTH GAMES

Khelo India Youth Games are part of the Khelo India program that was launched on October 14, 2017. Khelo India aims to achieve the twin objective of mass participation and promotion of excellence in sports. The program has contributed immensely to India’s sporting success with several Khelo India athletes representing the nation at global events, including the Olympics and the Asian Games.  Bihar is hosting the seventh edition of the Khelo India Youth Games from May 4-15 in five different cities of the state and Delhi. KIYG 2025 will feature 27 sports and for the first time, esports has been included as a demonstration sport.

Lauding the achievements of the Indian pair, Sports Minister said it is an honour for the entire nation when you stand on the podium along with the Tricolour

New Delhi. Olympians Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award from Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya here on Thursday. The ace badminton pair, who reached the No. 1 rank in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings in 2023 and clinched the Asian Games gold medal in Hangzhou, were shortlisted for the Khel Ratna award in 2023. However, they were unable to receive it due to tournament commitments at the time.

Praising the current World No. 11 duo, the Sports Minister said: “Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna is the highest sporting honour of the country. Satwik and Chirag, both of you, have brought honour to the country by winning medals in international competitions through extraordinary skills and sheer hard work. When you stand on the podium along with the Tricolour to receive the prestigious medals, it not only an honour for you but for the entire nation. For raising the pride of the country and for enhancing the honour of the Tricolour, both of you have been honoured by the Khel Ratna.”

Expressing his joy on receiving the Khel Ratna, Chirag Shetty said that the honour was long due. “Finally, we received it today. It was long due. It was announced in 2023. So, we are very happy to get the Khel Ratna from our honourable Sports Minister. The support from the Government of India has been tremendous since the time me and Satwik were paired together. All our big wins – whether becoming the World No. 1, winning Asian Games gold or clinching the Thomas Cup title – a lot of credit goes to the Indian government for their continuous support.”

Echoing the sentiments, Satwik said: “We couldn’t go to the Rashtrapati Bhavan to receive the Khel Ratna award last year. Finally, to get it now is a huge boost for our confidence as we are going off-track and not playing for the next few months. It motivates us to get back and do well in the upcoming tournaments. The government is playing a huge role as the youngsters today are being supported through a lot many schemes and initiatives – Khelo India, Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) etc. Intially, when I and Chirag started playing we struggled financially. Later, government came to our support and there was no looking back.”

The Indian pair finished on the podium twice – at the Malaysia Open and India Open in New Delhi – this January to begin their season on a decent note. However, niggles and minor injuries have pegged them back. Their next assignment is the Singapore Open (May 27 – June 1) and Indonesia Open (June 3-8).

Kolkata. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have once again demonstrated their commitment to making a meaningful impact beyond the cricket field with their remarkable ‘Shahoshi Rani’ initiative. This heartfelt program focuses on empowering women and girls from underprivileged communities, celebrating their courage and supporting them to help build brighter futures.

At the heart of this initiative is a simple yet powerful belief: ‘Life is not a game of fate. It’s a game of Korbo, Lorbo and Jeetbo.’ KKR has partnered with organizations to support brave women who embody this spirit – the ‘Shahoshi Ranis’ who are fearless, strong, and full of hope.

Venky Mysore, CEO of Kolkata Knight Riders, shared during the Press Conference ahead of the 8th edition of their Knight Golf charity event: “The overarching goal was always very specific with keeping women empowerment in mind.” He emphasised that while there’s much work to be done, making a difference ‘one initiative at a time, one person at a time’ can transform lives.

Through partnerships with NGOs like Hope Kolkata Foundation and Shreeja India, KKR is focusing some key areas, including promoting sports for underprivileged girls and supporting women’s upskilling for financial independence. Women from underserved communities in Kolkata are receiving training in tailoring and beauty services, helping them become self-reliant. In an initiative that has a direct impact on the community, tribal girls are being trained to be community educators, who now teach first-generation learners in remote villages. Meanwhile, girls from remote villages in Birbhum district are being trained in football, breaking barriers and dreaming big.

Also present at the event was cricket legend and KKR mentor Dwayne Bravo, who advised the young women present at the event: “It is very important to have that self-belief. Don’t worry about your financial background. Don’t worry about where you come from. But focus your mind on what you want to achieve and what you want to accomplish in life.” He emphasized that everyone has ‘their own inner champion’ and encouraged them to pursue their goals with unwavering determination.

Through the Shahoshi Rani initiative, KKR is not just supporting women and girls who are taking bold steps toward a better future – they’re celebrating their courage and resilience. The program serves as a powerful reminder that with support and opportunity, these fearless women can overcome any obstacle and create a lasting impact in their communities.