Softball will make its debut at the Khelo India Youth Games in Telangana, as a showcase

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday announced the complete schedule of the Khelo India Youth Games 2026. KIYG, the flagship event of the Sports Ministry, will be hosted by Telangana from December 11 to 22 and will feature 27 competitive and one demonstration sports.

Various venues in Hyderabad, including the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium Complex at Basheerbagh and the modern Gachibowli Sports Complex, will host 22 medal sports, while the rest will be hosted by Khammam (archery), Hanumakonda (athletics), Karimnagar (judo), Nizamabad (table tennis) and kabad Mahbubnagar (kabad Mahbubnagar).

“I am very excited to announce the Khelo India Youth Games 2026 schedule. This kicks off the series of Khelo India events that over the years have provided a platform for talented athletes to showcase their prowess and then embark on a journey of excellence through our programmes. With the quality of KIYG coming at the end of the Asian Games in Aichiyadaviya, we can expect to see.

OTHER SPORTS: PM MODI’S VISION

Nearly 6,000 athletes and 1,800 support staff are expected to participate in the 12-day sports carnival, which will be hosted by Telangana for the first time in the history of Khelo India events. Softball will make its debut as a competitive sport, while yachting has been included in the KIYG program for the first time. It will be a demonstration event.

“Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the sports ecosystem needs to be expanded so that we have more sports in the Olympics. PM Modi also said that we need to promote sports played using our natural resources like seas and mountains. Yachting is one such sport and we are extremely happy that our sailors will be part of the games and help promote their sport,” said Dr Mandaviya.

The previous edition of the Khelo India Youth Games was held in Bihar from May 3 to 15, 2025. Maharashtra defended its Khelo India Youth Games title after topping the medal tally with 58 gold, 47 silver and 53 bronze medals. It was their fifth KIYG title and third on the trot. Haryana, who won two KIYG titles, finished second with 39 gold, 27 silver and 51 bronze medals, while Rajasthan was third with 24 gold, 12 silver and 24 bronze medals. As many as 26 records were created in the Bihár edition. Eight were set by girls, five of which were national youth weightlifting records.

The following 27 sports will be in the competitive category at the Telangana Games: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Fencing, Football, Gatka, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kalarippayattu, kho-kho, mallakhamb, Rowing, Shooting, Swimming, Softball, Table Tennis, Wtalling Tennis, Yoga. thangley weight

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