Mansukh Mandaviya, Telangana CM unveil logo, mascot for Khelo India Youth Games 2026
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday unveiled the logo and mascot for the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2026,...
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday unveiled the logo and mascot for the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2026, which will be hosted by Telangana from December 11 to 22.
Around 8,000 athletes and other participants are expected to take part in the eighth edition of the event, which will be held across six cities: Hyderabad, Khammam, Karimnagar, Hanumakonda, Mahabubnagar and Nizamabad.
Addressing the launch event, Mandaviya said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had placed special emphasis on connecting young people with sports and making sports an integral part of the country’s development agenda. He said the Union Government was committed to promoting a strong sporting culture under the Prime Minister’s leadership.
The Sports Minister highlighted that several competitions, including the Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India Beach Games, Winter Games and Tribal Games, were being organised under the Khelo India initiative to encourage greater participation of young people in sports.
Mandaviya and Reddy expressed their gratitude to the Prime Minister for his guidance and support in organising the Games in Telangana. The Union Minister said the Centre and the state government would work together to inspire more young people to take up sports and contribute to strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem.
Telangana CM said events such as the Khelo India Youth Games would help advance the Prime Minister’s vision of a Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat. He noted that sporting activities could encourage young people to stay away from substance abuse and other social challenges.
29 disciplines, including new sporting events
The 2026 edition will feature 29 disciplines, comprising 27 competitive sports and two demonstration events.
The competitive sports are Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Fencing, Football, Gatka, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kalaripayattu, Kho-Kho, Mallakhamb, Rowing, Shooting, Swimming, Softball, Table Tennis, Tennis, Thang-Ta, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Yogasana.
Softball will make its debut as a competitive discipline at the Khelo India Youth Games. Sailing and Karra Samu will be introduced as demonstration sports for the first time.
Logo showcases Telangana’s cultural heritage
The Games’ logo brings together Telangana’s cultural heritage and sporting aspirations through eight key elements.
The Khelo India emblem, featuring a saffron-and-green running figure, represents the national programme, youth and momentum. The Gandhi Tower, part of the proposed Gandhi Sarovar at Bapu Ghat, symbolises peace, unity and Hyderabad’s vision for the future. The Kakatiya Kala Thoranam reflects the state’s rich heritage and spirit of welcome.
The Buddha statue at Hussain Sagar represents harmony, discipline and tranquillity, while the Tangedu flower highlights Telangana’s cultural identity and the spirit of Bathukamma. Seven sporting silhouettes form a sporting skyline alongside the heritage skyline, while an encircling ribbon in blue, green and yellow represents movement, energy and inclusion.
The logo carries the tagline, “Khel Ka Junoon, Telangana Ki Jaan Aur Pehchaan”, reflecting the place of sports and sporting passion in Telangana’s identity.
Mascot Neelamani embodies sporting spirit
The mascot, named Neelamani, represents energy, agility and determination, embodying the spirit of youth and sportsmanship. It also reflects pride in cultural roots and the vision of a stronger, fitter and more united India.
Its crest symbolises energy and forward movement, while its eyes represent focus, intelligence and spirit. The beak signifies determination and leadership, and its blue and turquoise feathers convey vibrancy, freedom and confidence.
Neelamani embodies four defining qualities: Vibrant, Courageous, Agile and Pride, representing the values and aspirations of the Khelo India Youth Games.
The launch event was attended by Telangana Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Vakiti Srihari; Minister for Irrigation and CAD N. Uttam Kumar Reddy; Government Sports Affairs Advisor and Telangana Olympic Association President A.P. Jithender Reddy; and Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju.
Sports Authority of India Director General and Department of Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, along with senior officials from the Union and Telangana governments, were also present.
(PIB)
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