Uttar Pradesh is gearing up for the opening ceremony of the third edition of the Khelo India University Games 2022 (KIUG22UP) on May 25, which will see the participation of 4000 athletes representing over 200 universities across 21 sports. Amid the final preparations for India’s much-awaited sporting event, Kabaddi kicked off as the first competitive game at the SVSP Sports Complex in Gautam Budh Nagar on Tuesday, May 23.
A small cultural programme featuring performances by schoolchildren from the SVSP Sports Complex region preceded the start of the Kabaddi competitions, which was attended by the chief guest, Brijesh Singh, minister of state, Public Works Department, and minister incharge, Gautam Budh Nagar District.
The first match was in the women’s category, where Atal Bihari Vajpayee Vishwavidyalaya University (ABVVU), Bilaspur, lost 28-41 to Chaudhary Ranbir Singh University, Jind, Haryana, at Noida’s Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Indoor Sports Complex. The second game was won by P University, Shimla girls, who defeated HCY University, Durg 51-29.
In the men’s category, Adamas University Kolkata lost to Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo in a close contest (29-35). It was heartbreaking for Kolkata to lose the game as two of their players got injured midway through the first round match. The day ended with Kota University registering a convincing 28-23 win over SRM University, Chennai.
Day 2 of the KIUG22UP started with basketball at the Gautam Budh University Indoor Stadium. The Kabaddi competitions also continued at the SVSP Sports Complex in Gautam Budh Nagar. It was reported that other sports such as Malkhambh, volleyball, table tennis, rugby, football (boys and girls) and tennis will also start today (Wednesday).
The Khelo India University Games 2022 will be officially launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 25th May at 7 PM via video conferencing. The organisation of Khelo India University Games is one of the schemes launched by the government to support budding sportspersons in the country. PM Modi has placed a high priority on building a sports culture in India and encouraging youth to take up sports as a career.
This year KIUG will be held from May 25 to June 3 in four different regions of Uttar Pradesh: Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Gautam Buddha Nagar. The closing ceremony of the Games will be held in Varanasi on 3rd June.
