Published: November 10, 2026 at 4:13 pm
Vakiti Srihari, Telangana minister for sports and youth services, has urged officials to ensure the successful organization of the Khelo India Youth Games 2026 in a manner that elevates the prestige of Telangana state at the national level.
He emphasized that securing the opportunity to host the Khelo India Games is a direct result of the determination and hard work of chief minister Revanth Reddy. Srihari spoke at a special meeting, regarding the organization of the Khelo India Games, at the Tourist Plaza in Begumpet, Hyderabad on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by deputy collectors from various districts and officials from the sports department.
The minister noted that selecting Telangana to host the Khelo India Games is an honor for the state. He recalled that he had previously met with Union minister for sports Mansukh Mandaviya in Srinagar to request that Telangana be entrusted with the responsibility of hosting the Khelo India Games. He added that it was through the persistent efforts of Revanth Reddy with the central government that the Khelo India Games were brought to Telangana.
Khelo India Youth Games will be hosted by Telangana from December 11-22
He cautioned that any failure to effectively organize these prestigious sporting events would reflect poorly on the state government; therefore, every official must perform their duties with a strong sense of responsibility. He emphasized that fully leveraging this opportunity would pave the way for securing further opportunities in the future.
He advised the officials to first understand the current challenges and limitations, and to remain determined in pursuing the goal, regardless of any obstacles that may arise. Just as a solid plan, coordination, and execution are essential for victory in a battle, he urged the officials to approach the organization of the Khelo India Games with the same spirit.
Furthermore, he suggested improving the necessary infrastructure for the sporting events in a way that ensures it remains beneficial for future generations. He stated that the government is granting all necessary powers to deputy collectors to enable them to discharge these responsibilities effectively. He emphasized the need to devise plans that yield maximum results at a minimal cost and cautioned against wasting public funds on unnecessary expenditures.
Srihari asked everyone to work in coordination to ensure that the organization of the Khelo India games is flawless, ensuring that the government’s reputation remains untarnished.
Foster a sports culture: Srihari
Srihari observed that today’s youth have increasingly turned to social media and creating reels as a trend and hence it was important to turn their focus toward sports. He specifically called for rescuing the youth from the menace of betting, a growing problem, and encouraging them to adopt a healthy lifestyle through sports.
He suggested taking the rural sports culture of Manipur as a model to cultivate a vibrant sporting environment in every village across Telangana. He urged the identification of talented athletes from rural areas, ensuring they receive proper training, encouragement, and opportunities.
Srihari expressed hope that the Khelo India Games would serve as more than just a series of athletic competitions, acting instead as a significant platform for the development of the sports sector in Telangana and for fostering a spirit of sportsmanship among the youth.
Speaking on the occasion, Sports Authority of Telangana (SATS) chairman Shivsena Reddy stated that the Telangana government has taken the organization of the Khelo India Games as a matter of great prestige. He noted that Telangana was entrusted with the responsibility of hosting the games thanks to the efforts of Srihari and Revanth Reddy.
He said that the chief minister, recognizing the competence of the deputy collectors, has entrusted them with the responsibility of organizing this prestigious sporting event. He urged every official to embrace this task as a challenge and work in close coordination.
He emphasized that there should be no setbacks in developing the necessary infrastructure for the Khelo India Games, and that the progress of the work must be monitored continuously to ensure there is no laxity. He directed that any negligence by contractors must not be overlooked and that strict action should be taken; he further stressed the need to ensure both quality and speed in the execution of the work.
He urged the officials to ensure the successful conduct of these games in a manner that upholds Telangana’s reputation across the nation, advising them to monitor every aspect meticulously to avoid any errors. He called upon the officials to approach these games with a sense of responsibility and dedication, warning that any negligence in the discharge of their duties would not be tolerated.
