Haryana will be hosting the 4th Khelo India Youth Games- scheduled to take place after Tokyo Olympics-announced union sports minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday.

He made the announcement during a video conferencing with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

The Games will be held in Panchkula in Haryana.

Haryana sports minister Sandeep Singh, sports secretary Ravi Mital and Director General of Sports Authority of India Sandip Pradhan were also present in the virtual meeting.

Speaking about Haryana hosting the next edition of KIYG, Rijiju said, “I am very happy to announce Haryana as the host state for the fourth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games."

"Khelo India Games, envisioned by our Prime Minister, has been instrumental in identifying grassroots level talent from across the country, who have represented India in international sporting events," he said.

"It is the Mahakumbh of sport. Haryana already has a very strong sporting culture and has given the country some of its best athletes," Rijiju added.

"I am sure that with the Games being hosted in the state, more and more aspiring athletes from Haryana will be motivated to take up a competitive sport," he further said.

"Usually, the Khelo India Youth Games take place in January of every year. However, this time owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are having to postpone it," he further informed.

"However, I am sure by the time we host the Games the pandemic will abate and we will be able to host the Games at the same scale, with the participation of all states and over 10,000 participants," Rijiju further added.

Like in the previous editions, this time too, Star Sports will be the Official Broadcast Partner of the Khelo India Youth Games.

Speaking about the partnership, Rijiju said, “Star Sports has catapulted the Khelo India Youth Games into an annual event in the country’s sporting calendar."

"When a young athlete sees himself or herself on a national television channel, it does not just motivate the athlete, but also other youngsters watching the broadcast to take on sport as a serious career," he added.

"I am very happy that the partnership is being continued," he further said.

The last edition of the Games was hosted by Guwahati, Assam.