Khelo India University Games (KIUG) will be hosted by Karnataka this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Games to be held in the city-based Jain University and other venues, Rijiju told a press conference here.
KIUG is the largest University Games in the country and is aimed at tapping sporting talent, who can represent India in international events, including the Olympics.
The first edition of KIUG was held in Bhubaneswar in February last year and saw a total participation of 3,182 athletes in the U-25 age group, across 158 universities and colleges from all states.
This year, Yogasana and Mallakhamb have been added to the roster, with an effort to preserve and promote the century-old sporting disciplines of the country. The athlete participation figure is expected to cross 4000, this year.
The Sports Minister explained that the Centre has also started indigenous games and recognised five indigenous games, which are Malkhamb, Kallaripayattu, Gatka, Thang Ta and Yogasana.
"We are going to provide lots of funding of indigenous sports. We have to play international sports and we have to play our traditional indigenous sports," he added.
Rijiju said the state will have many facilities similar to the Sports Authority of India facility in Bengaluru.
Yediyurappa said about 150 universities are likely to participate in the event.
The sports meet will be organised at the Kanteerava Stadium and hockey matches will be organised at the General Cariappa Hockey Stadium. All the arrangements will be borne by the state government and the university, the Chief Minister said.
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