Khelo India Youth Games 2019: Hosts Maharashtra look for home comfort as second edition kicks off in Pune

The Khelo India Youth Games 2019, which will see a host of athletes in action, is set to officially kick off in Pune on Wednesday. Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will attend a virtual torch ceremony at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in the evening, a media release said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the event through a video message. Among those in action will be world cadet champion wrestlers Anshu and Sonam, Olympian athlete Jisna Mathew, Youth Olympics gold medallist weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga, budding tennis player Mahak Jain and swimming star Srihari Nataraj.

Bas #5MinuteAur-haven't v all asked fr it-in playgrounds,exam halls or on the phone?

Let's b the voice of our young athletes & say it loud-
#5MinuteAur #KheloIndia

Aur Khelenge Toh Aur Jitenge!

Share ur story of #5MinuteAur @imVkohli @NSaina @deepikapadukone @BeingSalmanKhan pic.twitter.com/dg91JfzN7z

— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) January 9, 2019

The athletes will compete in 18 different disciplines, of which six are team sports. The Balewadi Complex, which will be the main venue, has been refurbished with funds from the Centre and the Maharashtra government. Archery will be held at the Army Sports Institute and girls hockey matches will be played at the NDA hockey ground. Football matches will be held at the Flame University ground and the police ground, while the hockey tournament for boys started in Mumbai on Monday. Meanwhile, hosts Maharashtra, who finished second in the inaugural edition of the Games last year, are aiming to grab the top spot from Haryana. At the Khelo India School Games 2018, Haryana won 38 gold, 26 silver, and 38 bronze medals, while Maharashtra finished with 36 gold, 32 silver, and 42 bronze medals. Maharashtra, however, had the consolation of winning most medals, 110, as compared to Haryana’s 102.