Inspired by World Cup glory, Sepak Takraw joins Khelo India Youth Games
New Delhi : Bihar has added a new chapter in sports by hosting the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 with Speak Takraw finding its place for the first time at the mega event.
With tagline “Khel Ke Rang! Bihar Ke Sang!”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated Khelo India Youth Games 2025 here at Patliputra Sports Complex amid a colourful and vibrant programme.
Hosting the 7th edition of the games is a testament of state’s rapidly changing sports scenario with Prime Minister Narendra Modi too acknowledging the state’s taking major initiatives to promote sports. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the PM led NDA government is extending its full cooperation in the development of Bihar.
Emphasising the need for players to adopt new sports, Modi said that players have done quite well in new games like Speak Takraw, roller skating etc.
Sepak Takraw is being introduced for the first time at the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), Bihar 2025 because of the tireless efforts of Bihar State Sports Association (BSSA) and the state government and fetching consecutive medals in the past two editions of the Asian Games (2018 and 2022), a groundbreaking gold medal win by the Indian men’s regu team at the recently-held International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF) World Cup.
Karunesh Kumar, former India international and competition manager for KIYG Bihar 2025, described the inclusion of the sport as a “milestone moment” for athletes and emphasized its long-term significance.
“The introduction of Sepak Takraw as a medal sport in the seventh edition of KIYG is vital for the relevance of the sport. It is a milestone moment for the sport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of promoting sports in India has been instrumental in shaping Khelo India Games, and now it is is a brand of its own. Being associated with the brand will further enhance the popularity of the sport in India.
“We already have our presence in National Games, University Games, and now this tag will further boost the sport’s popularity,” he pointed out.
Bihar has emerged as one of the growing powerhouses of the sport, with one of its players- Bobby Kumar- also being a part of the gold medal-winning team at the World Cup, and three others from the state are currently part of the national team.
The Bihar government has recognised the sport as one of the 14 priority sports in the state.
With his team completing a 30-day camp, a confident Kumar expects the home side to win at least a medal in each of the four events —doubles, regu, quad and team.
While government initiatives, especially through the Sports Authority of India’s training centres (STCs), have already played a major role in the sport's growth, its inclusion in the Khelo India programme is expected to further expand its reach to even the remotest parts of the country.
