As the city of Bengaluru gears up to host the second season of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) from April 24 until May 3, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur has unveiled the event’s logo and mascots.
The mascots, Jaya (blackbuck), Vijay (tiger), and Namma Veera (elephant) were revealed at the Sree Kanteerava indoor stadium, along with the official jersey, a mobile app, and the theme.
Over the course of ten days, up to 20 sporting disciplines will be held on the Jain University campus, Sree Kanteerava Stadium, hockey stadium, and the Sports Authority of India, South Centre shooting range. Mallakhamba, along with yoga asana, has been introduced as part of a push to promote traditional sports.
The event, which was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will bring together over 4,500 athletes from across the country.
Speaking at the event, Thakur said, “It is great to see a city like Bengaluru which is filled with youngsters and sports lovers hosting the KIUG. We have seen a significant increase in the number of participants compared to the first edition in Bhubaneswar in February 2020, and hopefully, this will give a platform for many players taking part in the University Games to become future Olympians.”
He also emphasized how well Indian athletes performed at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, and how KIUG will contribute to the country’s sporting prowess.