Khelo India Youth Games 2019: 'Let kids play,' urges Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore as second edition of event begins

Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has asked parents to let their children follow sports earnestly as the second edition of the annual Khelo India Youth Games begins in Pune on Wednesday. Rathore, a silver medallist at the 2004 Athens Olympics, tweeted a video, urging people to tweet, retweet and share their experiences with hashtags #5MinuteAur and #KheloIndia to support the youngsters to take up sports. “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!,” Rathore tweeted.

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

Rathore also tagged India cricket captain Virat Kohli, badminton ace Saina Nehwal, and movie stars Deepika Padukone and Salman Khan to join the campaign. Later in the day, Rathore, along with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, will attend a virtual torch ceremony at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune to officially declare the Games open. 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.