GUWAHATI: The first group of athletes from Assam set out on Thursday, May 1, for the 7th Khelo India Youth Games, scheduled to be held from May 4 to 15 across Bihar and New Delhi. The girls’ kabaddi and volleyball teams were the first to depart from Guwahati, boarding the Rajdhani Express to Patna.
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Assam’s Chef de Mission and Assistant Director of Sports and Youth Welfare, Naba Basumatary, confirmed that he, along with athletes from judo, swimming, cycling, sepak takraw, and gatka, would depart on Friday. This marks the first time Bihar is hosting the Youth Games, with competitions planned in five cities across the state, while shooting, gymnastics, and track cycling events will be held in the national capital.
Assam will compete in 17 of the 27 disciplines included in this year’s edition. The state’s contingent comprises 135 members, including 105 athletes — 42 boys and 63 girls.
On Wednesday, a ceremonial send-off was also held at the Sarusajai Sports Complex in Guwahati, organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare. Olympic archer and Arjuna awardee Jayanta Talukdar, international weightlifting coach Anup Konwar, and Deputy Director of Sports and Youth Welfare, Neel Harit Kausik, were also present at the event.
Nearly 10,000 athletes from 36 states and Union territories have been expected to take part in the 2025 edition.
Assam’s contingent will participate in swimming, weightlifting, athletics, shooting, boxing, cycling, thang-ta, table tennis, yogasana, gatka, kalaripayattu, judo, gymnastics, mallakhamb, sepak takraw, and the girls’ kabaddi and volleyball events.
