Maharashtra lift best team award in 3rd Khelo India Youth Games

Our Sports Reporter

Guwahati: The picturesque city of Guwahati bid an emotional goodbye to the 3rd Khelo India Youth Games here on Wednesday. Maharashtra has crowned the champions in a power-packed and entertaining closing ceremony.

During the 13-day event, Maharashtra won its second Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) trophy in a row collecting 78 gold, 77 silver and 101 bronze medals (total 256). Haryana came second with 200 medals (68 gold, 60 silver, 72 bronze), followed by Delhi at third with 122 medals (39 gold, 36 silver, 47 bronze).

Addressing the participating athletes and officials in the closing function, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who attended the function with Union Minister of State for Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju, Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Minister of State for Food Processing Rameswar Teli, said: “You made Guwahati and Assam famous in the world map by coming and joining the Khelo India Youth Games. I thank all of you from my heart.” Meanwhile, Kiren Rijiju addressing at the closing function said: “Khelo India Youth Games aims to promote a sporting culture in the country.” He further added that such type of sporting events help us in identifying young talents.

The closing ceremony was marked by a spectacular performance by Chinese martial artists along with some cultural programmes. Bollywood singer Shaan also performed in the concluding function of the Games which was held at the Karmavir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium at the Sarusajai Sports complex.

Meanwhile, several events were held on the last day of the Games. In the women U-21 girls football, Haryana won the gold defeating Tamil Nadu 2-0 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.

In swimming, Aastha Choudhury, hailing from Assam but representing Delhi in the Games, collected a gold medal in the U-17 girls 100m butterfly with a timing of 1:04.68. In the U-17 boy's breaststroke 200mts, Swadesh Mondal bagged the gold medal. It was the fifth gold medal for the West Bengal swimmer. The other events held on the final day were boxing, tennis, and weightlifting.

It may be mentioned here that around 10 thousand athletes and officials from the 37 teams took part in 20 disciplines during the 13-day Games.

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