Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha on Monday attended the grand opening ceremony of the 2nd edition of the ‘Khelo India Beach Games’ at the iconic Blue Flag certified Ghoghla Beach in Diu.
The ceremony was also graced by Shri Praful Patel, Administrator, UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
During the event, a special message from Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was read out, extending his heartiest felicitations to the participating athletes and organizers.
Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor stated that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is witnessing a new revolution in sports.
“We are committed to empower youth through the power of sports. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, India's youth are redefining sports excellence and scripting a new history from playgrounds to podiums. The young sportspersons are not confined to traditional sports but they are conquering new grounds with sweat, dreams and victory,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that the spectacular Khelo India Beach Games event reflects the Government of India's commitment to nurture a strong sporting culture and India's Youth Surge in Coastal Sports.
The Lieutenant Governor said that the Jammu & Kashmir is proud to be an active participant in this national sporting movement.
These games will build confidence and leadership that will spur rise of Gen Z athletes in global tournaments, he further said
The Lieutenant Governor called upon the athletes to act as brand ambassadors for ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ and share the warm hospitality and priceless culture of Diu with their respective regions.
“Khelo India Beach Games are not just about winning medals; they are a platform to project India’s ‘soft power’ and showcase our coastal tourism potential to the world,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He said the Beach Games also remind us of our shared responsibility towards environmental sustainability and the preservation of our coastal ecosystems.
"Sports unite people beyond caste, religion, and region. Let us make these games a success through the power of unity and work towards making India a world-class sporting power,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor congratulated Shri Praful Patel, Administrator, UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and the people of the Union Territory for successfully hosting the India’s first-ever multi-sport Beach Games in 2024 and the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Beach Games in 2025. He also extended his best wishes to all the athletes.
The 2026 edition follows the historic success of the inaugural games. Over the next five days, more than 1,300 athletes from 31 states and UTs will be participating in eight disciplines (6 competitive and 2 demonstration) including Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Beach Sepak Takraw, Beach Kabaddi, Beach Pencak Silat, & Open water Swimming as Competitive and Beach Mallakhamb & Beach Tug of war as Demonstration.
Eminent sports personalities, senior officials, prominent citizens from different walks of life, sports enthusiasts and youth in large number attended the opening ceremony.