NEW DELHI: Bihar is gearing up to host the 7th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games for the first time, scheduled to take place from May 4 to May 15. The event is set to be hosted across five cities in the state — Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Begusarai and Bhagalpur. This event will see young athletes competing in 27 sporting disciplines.
As part of the upcoming edition, fencing is set to receive special focus, with young athletes from across Bihar intensively preparing to showcase their talent.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to virtually inaugurate the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 on May 4. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is expected to be present at the inaugural ceremony, which will mark the official launch of the state’s first-ever hosting of the national youth sports event, as reported by IANS.
Speaking about the preparations that are currently underway, one participant said, “For the first time, Khelo India Youth Games are being held in Bihar. PM Modi will inaugurate it via video conferencing, and CM Nitish Kumar will also be present. The inauguration will be grand. There is a fencing camp in Motihari where children practice a lot. Sports are being promoted a lot in Bihar. The Bihar government is working hard to promote sports.”
Motihari, one of the key locations for the event, has emerged as a hub for fencing preparations, with players training intensively at the Khel Bhavan.
In total, 24 fencers have been selected to represent Bihar in the games, including 14 from Motihari, seven from Nalanda, two from Patna, and one from Bettiah.
Another young fencer, Manjit Kumar said, “We have practised a lot. Now, we have to perform in the trials of the Youth Games. For the first time, Khelo India Youth Games are being organised in Bihar, which is a matter of great joy. Players will get a lot of encouragement.”
According to Appu Kumar, secretary of the fencing association, the fencing competitions will be held in Rajgir from May 11 to May 15. Providing details about the event, he said, “Khelo India Youth Game-2025 is being organised in Bihar for the first time. PM Modi will inaugurate it virtually on May 4. This programme will be conducted from May 4 to May 15. It is organised in five different districts of Bihar. Fencing competitions will be held in Rajgir from May 11 to May 15”.
He added that preparations for the event are in full swing, with training camps already operational. Preparations are being made for this by setting up a camp in Motihari Khel Bhavan. 30 children participated, of whom 24 will represent Bihar. We hope Bihar will win many medals,” Kumar said.
