By TNM News Desk Mar 01, 2024
New records and tales of resilience emerged at the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2023, which concluded on February 29 in Guwahati. The event showcased remarkable feats, setting new benchmarks and laying the groundwork for future stars of Indian sports.
In the athletics segment, several new KIUG records were established at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Sarusojai Sports Complex in Guwahati. M Gowtham from the University of Madras soared over 5 metres to clinch the men’s pole vault gold, showcasing exceptional skill and determination.
Jyoti, representing Chaudhary Devi Lal University, exhibited her prowess in the javelin throw by achieving a distance of 53.16 metres in her fourth attempt, securing the women’s gold and setting a new meet record.
Panjab University’s Amandeep Kaur displayed remarkable speed, clocking 2:11.27s in the women’s 800m event, securing the gold with a new Games record. Similarly, Vikash from Chandigarh University set a new Games record in the men’s 1500m, crossing the finish line at 3:50.70s to claim the gold.
Chandigarh University emerged as the frontrunner in the medals tally with an impressive haul of 32 gold medals, followed by Lovely Professional University with 20 gold and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, with 12 gold medals.
The KIUG 2023 spanned 18 venues in seven cities of the North East, with the opening ceremony held in Guwahati, graced by Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Anurag Thakur and other dignitaries. More than 4,500 athletes representing over 200 universities participated in this fourth edition of the Khelo India University Games.
Initiated as part of the Indian government’s Khelo India program in 2016, KIUG aims to promote grassroots sports and identify young talents nationwide.
For athletes like Mrinal Chauhan from Lovely Professional University, achieving the second spot in the Recurve men’s category marked a significant milestone despite financial constraints. Support from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) enabled Mrinal to pursue his passion for archery, alleviating financial burdens and providing access to training facilities.
Jyoti Kattimai, representing Karnataka University, showcased remarkable resilience despite financial hardships, training diligently amidst familial responsibilities. Despite securing the fifth spot in the women’s 800m, Jyoti remains determined to pursue her athletic career with the unwavering support of her coach and sponsor.
The role of coaches in nurturing talent cannot be overstated, as demonstrated by Bharati Vidyapeeth’s rugby team under the guidance of Prashant Arvind Singh. Despite facing challenges with a new lineup, Prashant’s adept leadership led the team to clinch the bronze medal, embodying the spirit of perseverance and dedication.
Prashant’s journey, balancing sports with work to support his family, serves as an inspiration, reflecting the resilience and passion that define the essence of sportsmanship.