Khelo Telangana initiative launched to promote sports and fitness culture across State

The Telangana Sports Department and SATG launched the Khelo Telangana initiative to promote fitness and sports participation. The programme includes the Khelo Telangana Bandhan campaign and 9+9+9 Fitness Challenge, encouraging citizens of all ages to adopt regular physical activity

Hyderabad: With the objective of expanding the culture of sports across Telangana and promoting a healthier society through regular physical activity, the Department of Sports and the Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG) are launching the “Khelo Telangana” initiative.

The official poster of the programme was unveiled by Minister for Sports and Youth Services V. Srihari at the State Secretariat.

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Speaking on the occasion, the Sports Minister said the initiative aims to create widespread awareness about fitness and encourage people of all age groups to dedicate at least 30 minutes every day to physical activity.

The Minister emphasised that regular exercise is essential for building a healthy and productive society and that the government is committed to making fitness a people’s movement.

As part of the initiative, the “Khelo Telangana Bandhan” campaign will motivate citizens to make walking, jogging, running, yoga and other fitness activities an integral part of their daily lives. The campaign seeks to inspire greater community participation in fitness activities and foster a culture of healthy living across the State.

A major highlight of the programme is the “9+9+9 Fitness Challenge”. Participants are required to upload a 27-second video showcasing their fitness activity on social media, tag nine friends and encourage them to invite nine more participants to take up the challenge. The initiative is designed to create a statewide chain of participation and spread awareness about the importance of physical fitness.

To strengthen the sporting ecosystem and transform sports into a mass movement, the Department plans to organise leagues and competitions in a wide range of disciplines, including wrestling, boxing, volleyball, table tennis, judo, basketball, athletics, football, cycling and yoga.

Officials stated that opportunities will be provided from the school level onwards, covering all age groups, with a focus on encouraging participation, identifying talent and nurturing future champions.

The initiative is also expected to contribute significantly to promoting sports culture and fitness awareness throughout Telangana.

The programme was attended by Sports Advisor to the Government of Telangana A.P. Jitender Reddy, Special Chief Secretary Jayesh Ranjan, SATG VC and MD Dr A Sonibala Devi, Telangana Olympic Association Secretary P Malla Reddy and other senior officials.