Chandigarh to Host Inauguration of “KIRTI” by Union Sports Minister
The wait is over for aspiring young athletes in India! The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, is set to inaugurate a groundbreaking talent hunt program called “KIRTI” in Chandigarh on Tuesday. This initiative has already garnered praise from Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who sees it as a game-changer for student-athletes.
KIRTI, which stands for Khelo India Rising Talent Identification program, is specifically designed for students between the ages of 9 and 18. This ambitious nationwide program, launched under the Khelo India mission, aims to leverage technology to identify talent across the country. KIRTI will offer young athletes a unique opportunity to showcase their potential by providing a centralised platform.
The program’s core objective is to create a robust talent development structure, starting at the grassroots level and creating elite athletes who can compete and excel at international events. The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (Tation for Sporting ExcellenceOPS) serves as the pinnacle of this pyramid, providing focused support to these top athletes.
Speaking from his training camp in Turkey, Chopra, the reigning Olympic javelin champion, expressed his enthusiasm for the entire Khelo India mission. He believes these initiatives, including the Youth Games and University Games, offer a perfect platform for young athletes to excel. He emphasized the importance of these events in propelling Indian sports forward, provided athletes seize the opportunities they present.
To conduct a staggering 20 lakh (2 million) assessments throughout the year, KIRTI aims to identify promising athletes through designated Talent Assessment Centers. This nationwide scouting and training program is a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, arriving at a crucial juncture as the country strives to become a global sporting powerhouse.
Chopra, personifying the potential of such programs, began his sporting journey at the young age of 13-14. He believes KIRTI will be pivotal in encouraging young athletes to maintain a healthy balance between academics and sports. He commends the government for taking the initiative to nurture the sporting aspirations of young Indians and foster a national awareness about the importance of sports.
KIRTI will leverage scientific tools and the expertise of physical education teachers to identify talent. Initially, the program will focus on ten Khelo India disciplines – archery, athletics, boxing, football, hockey, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling.
