Guwahati wears sporting look, electrifying atmosphere for mega sports event
Khelo India Youth Games kicks off today
Our Sports Reporter
GUWAHATI: Amidst widespread protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Assam’s capital city here has worn a sporting look as it is ready to hoist the third edition of the ambitious Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG).
About 6,800 athletes across 37 teams have arrived in the city to take part in the Games that will be held on schedule from January 10 to 22. The athletes will compete in a total of 20 sports events, including new additions - lawn bowls and cycling, in eight venues across Guwahati, during the 13-day long KIYG. The games will be held among two age groups-under 21 and under 17.
After successfully hoisting the National Games and South Asian Games in 2007 & 2016, Guwahati is all set to organize another mega sporting event (KIYG) after a tough time due to massive protests against the CAA. The All Assam Students’ Union which is spearheading the anti-CAA movement, has announced that the students’ organization will not disturb the KIYG.
The opening ceremony of KIYG scheduled to be held at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium at Sarusojai on Friday, will witness the presence of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Union Minister of State (I/C) for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju, along with a host of star athletes, among them is Assam’s pride Hima Das.
The organizers said the opening ceremony scheduled to be held from 6 pm on Friday, will be a world class affair, with a larger-than-life show featuring more than 400 cast members. Performances by ethnic communities from across Assam, is also part of the grand show. An act to champion the Fit India movement, encouraging all Indians to integrate fitness into their daily routine, is also an important aspect of the show.
There will be no tickets for the Games, including the opening ceremony. Any person can go and collect passes of the Games at the stadiums.
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