"If you play, you will succeed": PM's message to athletes at Khelo India Games

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended his greetings to the athletes participating in the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 being held at Patna's Patliputra Sports Complex. In his virtual inaugural address, he said, "The more you play, the more you will succeed"—the key to personal development and self-confidence lies in these words.

The Prime Minister said, "As the culture of sports grows in the country, the soft power of India will also grow." He added that today's sports arena has become not just a place of competition, but also an important area of ​​employment.

In the presence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and representatives of other states, the Prime Minister began his speech by welcoming the athletes in Bhojpuri and expressed the hope that the competitors from different parts of the country will remember their time in Bihar for the rest of their lives.

The Prime Minister mentioned that the development that is happening in Bihar is the result of the coordination of the "double engine government" of the Centre and the state.  This cooperation is also playing a big role in the field of sports.

The Khelo India Youth Games is the first such multi-sport event in the history of Bihar. More than 6,000 competitors from across the country are participating in 27 sports. The event will continue till May 15.

These games are also very important for the future, as scouts who are engaged in finding Olympic-level talent will be present here, who are keen to develop competitors for the 2032 and 2036 Olympics.

The ongoing competition is going to be a milestone not only for Bihar but for the entire sports sector of the country.