KIYG 2025: Haryana fencing teams claim all three gold on final day of competition

Rajgir: Haryana signed off the fencing competition in the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 Bihar by winning all three gold medals on the final day in the Indoor Stadium at the Rajgir Sports Complex here on Thursday. Haryana boys clinched gold in the saber team competition while the girls topped in epee and foil events.
Haryana thus ended the competition with seven gold, two silver and three bronze medals. Maharashtra finished with two gold, two silver and three silver. Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan picked up one gold medal each to be among the top five teams in the Fencing competition in this edition.
The Haryana girls epee team captain Deepanshi said the fencers were grateful for the coaching staff's efforts. 'Our team attributes its success to our coaches' training and guidance. This is my second consecutive gold medal in the team event, and I'm proud of our back-to-back victories,' she said.
Men's saber team captain Ujjwal was expectedly thrilled with his team's performance. 'It was my first time in Khelo India, and I was fortunate enough to secure the gold medal through teamwork and determination. I'd like to thank our coaches, Kapil sir, Rajpal Yadav sir, Narendra Singh sir, and Suresh sir, who were instrumental in our win,' he said.
Haryana Head Coach Narendra Singh beamed with pride. 'Our fencers played well, reflecting in our results. Haryana has consistently dominated previous Khelo India Youth Games editions, and this time was no different. I'm proud of each fencer's determination and mindset, which made this achievement possible,' he said.
This is the first time that Bihar hosted the Khelo India Youth Games, which features 27 types of games. As part of the event, a significant focus was on fencing, which was scheduled from May 11 to 15.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Indian Express

an hour ago

• Indian Express

From building stadiums to hosting international events, how Bihar is trying to turn around its sporting culture

When Bihar played Mumbai at Patna's Moin-ul-Haq stadium in January 2024, it wasn't the game or the cricketing stars that captured media attention. It was the state of the stadium — the broken and muddy stands, the overgrown lawn and the non-functional scoreboard, all telltale signs of government apathy. Since then, Bihar appears to be trying hard to shed that image. From a new multi-crore state-of-the-art sports complexes and a sports university to hosting Khelo India Youth games and a new policy and department exclusively to it, Bihar is doing much in this direction. Bihar's sports push can be gauged from the fact that its sports budget shot up from Rs 30 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 568 crore in 2025-26. According to a senior leader of the ruling Janata Dal (United), the Nitish Kumar government was trying to use such initiatives to tap into a vast vote base – the youth. Youth are estimated to make up about 30 percent of Bihar's population and, according to the leader, such a push holds particular significance since the state has historically lagged behind in sporting achievements. 'Promoting sundry sports ahead of crucial 2025 Assembly polls could come in handy for the government to tap into the vast constituency of youth, which is caste-neutral,' the senior leader, who is close to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, said. 'At the heart of this transformation is the belief that sports can empower the youth, promote community well-being, and uplift the state's image on both national and international stages'. A senior government official added: 'If Nitish Kumar's tenure as Bihar CM between 2005 and 2020 is often cited for infrastructure overhaul in the state and providing drinking water to almost all villages, the CM's current tenure between 2020 and 2025 has witnessed a massive push for sports – from upgrading of sports infrastructure to taking Bihar on national map by hosting several national and international sports events in past few years.' A large part of the push is decentralisation of sports and promotion at the village level. This includes constructing outdoor stadiums at block levels to encourage more participation. But it's not only sports infrastructure that the state is upgrading: it's also simultaneously offering incentives for athletes, even announcing a new policy last year for directly recruiting medal-winning athletes into government jobs. Bihar's push for sports also found a mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech on the opening day of the 7th edition of Khelo India Youth Games, 2025, on May 4. In it, Modi lavished praise at the Bihar government's initiatives to promote sports and said events such Khelo India Youth Games would further 'help Bihar in establishing its presence in the field of sports at national level'. Building sports cities, decentralising sports — Bihar's massive sports push Soon after the January 2024 fiasco, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced a revamp of the Moinul Haque stadium. Meanwhile, just ahead of the Khelo India Youth games, Nitish inaugurated sports facilities at the Rajgir Sports Academy-cum-Sports University. Built at a cost of Rs 750 crore, the 90-acre sports complex boasts of having both indoor and outdoor stadiums with facilities to host sports events across 24 disciplines. Also under construction is an international cricket stadium at Rajgir with a capacity of 40,000 spectators, expected to be ready by the end of the year. The stadium is expected to host both domestic and international matches. The Bihar Sports University, meanwhile, is expected to be opened to students from the 2025-26 academic session. The university, which got recognition from the University Grants Commission in January this year, will offer both degree and diploma programmes in various disciplines of sports. Among its programmes are diploma/PG diploma in sports coaching, diploma/PG diploma in Yoga, four years Bachelor of Physical education. It will also offer programmes in sport sciences. Besides this, the government has also begun hosting a variety of national and international sporting events, from the Women's Asian Hockey and the Ranji Trophy Cup matches in 2024 to the Sepak Takraw World Cup 2025 and the Khelo India Youth Games 2025. In January last year, the state government created a standalone sports department, previously part of the art, culture and youth affairs department. This came a year after the state government set up the Bihar State Sports Authority (BSSA) – the body that promotes athletes in the state. The government is also setting up a Rs 100-crore sports complex at Punpun on the outskirts of Patna. The complex would be part of a larger sports city complete with modern facilities such as training centre, gyn, lounges and restaurants. Meanwhile, officials at block and district levels have been asked to have playgrounds ready 'as part of the state government's mega drive to nurture sports talents from grassroot levels', Masaurhi sub-divisional officer Amit Kumar Patel said. Out of Bihar's 534 blocks, 252 already have fully constructed outdoor stadiums while an additional 64 are currently under construction, while 58 are at the active development stage, officials said. 'Proposals for stadiums have been received from 163 more blocks, indicating strong grassroots interest and participation in the program. So far, 25 districts have completed these sports-cum-fitness centres, and another 13 have received official approval for construction,' one district official said. In March this year, the BSSA launched 'Mashal' – a statewide talent search competition for schools. The event saw the participation of students from 38,000 government secondary and higher secondary schools in the state. Students selected under this programme are trained to go to cluster, block, district and state competitions. 'The competition is conducted in two categories — Under 14 and Under 16 for boys and girls. At present, students participate in athletics, kabaddi, badminton, football and volleyball,' one official said, adding that there are plans to add at least half a dozen more sports in the coming three years. In addition, the state is trying to incentivise sports and sportspeople under its 'Medal Lao, Naukri Pao' scheme. 'Under this, medal winners at various sporting competitions will be given Class 1 government jobs without appearing for a written test or interview. So far, 71 national and international award winners have been given government jobs,' one official said. The state government is also offering scholarships for athletes. According to government officials, 123 athletes have been granted scholarships of up to Rs 5 lakh/year. 'This category guarantees that athletes at various levels receive sufficient support to pursue their sporting ambitions. It covers expenses related to training, travel, equipment, and other vital needs,' one official said. Meanwhile, high-performing athletes who have already showcased outstanding skills at national or international competitions are entitled to scholarships of up to Rs 20 lakh/annum. 'The scholarship ensures that elite athletes have access to top-notch training facilities, coaching, nutrition, and medical care. It enables them to compete at the highest levels and achieve recognition for both the state and the nation,' the official said. According to Additional Chief Secretary B Rajender, the initiatives have already begun showing results. 'That Bihar is witnessing a sports revolution is evident in the state's record 36 medals at the 2025 Khelo India Youth Games, a 620 percent jump from last year. A key pillar of this transformation is the rapid expansion of grassroots infrastructure — construction for 6,659 new sports grounds across 5,671 gram panchayats has begun. At the same time, the government is setting up khel clubs and launching talent hunts involving around 60 lakh players from 40,000 schools, ensuring that every corner of Bihar becomes a cradle for sporting excellence.' Athletes too believe these programmes prove how seriously the state is now taking sports. 'Bihar's sports facilities are now at par with Delhi's sports facilities,' Anishka Kumari, an archer, said. 'Bihar hosting some national and international events is a big enough proof of it.' But some experts believe the measures are 'too little, too late'. 'Why had Moin-ul-Haq stadium remained ignored all these years when a small state like Jharkhand has two world-class stadia?' Bihar Players Association president Mrityunjay Tiwari asked. 'The government has to start from basics – we do not have devoted playing hours in schools, and we hardly have sports trainers. Raising boundary walls in villages does not make it a stadium. It is good that the government is finally addressing the neglect of sports but it has to first inculcate sports culture. It can come with good trainers and decentralised sports infrastructure.' Santosh Singh is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express since June 2008. He covers Bihar with main focus on politics, society and governance. Investigative and explanatory stories are also his forte. Singh has 25 years of experience in print journalism covering Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka. ... Read More

Time of India

8 hours ago

• Time of India

Look beyond Maharashtra Kesari, aim for Olympic medals: CM Fadnavis to state wrestlers

1 2 3 4 Nagpur: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis wanted the Maharashtra Kesari wrestlers to aim higher and bring the glory of legendary Khashaba Jadhav back to the state by winning a medal in the next Olympic Games. Fadnavis was speaking during the inauguration of the Chief Minister's Cup U-15 National Wrestling Championship, which began at the indoor stadium of Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur on Saturday. On a query raised by Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Kumar Singh regarding the performance of senior Maharashtra grapplers compared to their junior counterparts, Fadnavis said that state wrestlers get satisfied after becoming Maharashtra Kesari. Fadnavis wanted the state wrestlers to change that mindset and remained hopeful that in the next Olympic Games, Maharashtra grapplers will win medals for the country. He said that the state govt is committed to bringing international coaches for excellent training and updating necessary infrastructure to fully support the wrestlers. Fadnavis said, "Efforts will be made to involve institutions, foundations, and the corporate sector to make wrestling more professional and glamorous in Maharashtra. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Like kabaddi, wrestling is played across all the small regions of Maharashtra, and it is time to show the world our true value." Speaking further, he emphasised the govt's focus on wrestling competitions and highlighted the importance of sports and participation. Fadnavis said Maharashtra's young sportspersons were performing well at the National Games and Khelo India. As far as wrestling is concerned, the junior wrestlers are doing well. But the senior wrestlers are not getting recognition at the international level. Fadnavis wanted the state wrestling association to look into the matter and take all the necessary help from the Maharashtra govt. In his introductory remark, President of the Organising Committee and MLC Sandip Joshi said, "Looking at the success of Nagpur's first national championship, the city is all set and ready to host international wrestling competition." Joshi also asked the CM's approval to build a small multi-sport stadium on the municipal corporation land near Manish Nagar. President of Maharashtra Wrestling Association Ramdas Tadas said that in 2026, Wardha will host the senior national wrestling championship. Minister of state for finance and planning Ashish Jaiswal, President of WFI Sanjay Kumar Singh, former MP Tadas, MLC Kripal Tumare, Working President Sandip Bhondwe, state minister Pankaj Bhoyar, President of Vidarbha Wrestling Association Sanjay Tirathkar, Hindkesri Yogesh Dhoke, Municipal Commissioner Dr Abhijit Choudhary, and others shared the dais. Earlier the members of Amit Yoga Group won the hearts of the audience by presenting thrilling yoga demonstrations. Fadnavis appreciated the performance on the occasion of International Yoga Day.

The Hindu

2 days ago

• The Hindu

Hockey players to get ₹25,000 per month pocket allowance

The Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) sanctioned a pocket allowance of ₹25,000 to 80 hockey players in the national camp, following a request by the National Federation. It will be given to 40 men and 40 women, who will be nominated every month by Hockey India. The Union Sports Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasised the importance of encouraging the hockey players and acknowledging their overall good performances in recent years. The Minister also explained the elaborate plans to tap talent across the country with the help of technology, to ensure that every talented player gets a chance to hone his or her skills and realise his or her potential. 'Talent identification is a key area. The Government will soon launch a dedicated mobile application as part of the National Talent Repository System (NSRS). Anyone can upload a clip of talented youngsters from their neighbourhood, school, or village, across a wide range of sports disciplines. The videos will be studied by the zonal talent selection committees under the Khelo India scheme. Deserving candidates will be taken into Khelo India centres and given training, sports science support, nutrition guidance and mentorship,' said the Minister. The Sports Minister stressed that a vast country like India would have potential champions in big numbers, and such talent needed to be spotted and guided for the country to become a sporting powerhouse.