Hyderabad: Telangana will host the eighth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games from December 11 to 22, with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy unveiling the event’s logo and mascot on Sunday.
Around 8,000 athletes and participants are expected to compete across 29 disciplines, including 27 competitive sports and two demonstration events. The Games will be held in six cities — Hyderabad, Khammam, Karimnagar, Hanumakonda, Mahabubnagar and Nizamabad.
Softball will make its debut as a competitive sport, while Sailing and Karra Samu will be introduced as demonstration events for the first time.
Mandaviya said the Centre was promoting sports through initiatives such as the Khelo India Youth Games, Beach Games, Winter Games and Tribal Games. He said the Centre and Telangana government would work together to strengthen the country’s sporting culture.
Revanth Reddy said the Games would help encourage young people to stay away from substance abuse and contribute to the vision of a drug-free youth for a developed India.
The mascot, ‘Neelamani’, symbolises energy, agility, courage and determination. The logo incorporates elements of Telangana’s cultural heritage, including the Kakatiya Kala Thoranam, Buddha statue at Hussain Sagar and Tangedu flower. Its tagline is ‘Khel Ka Junoon, Telangana Ki Jaan Aur Pehchaan’.
