LG Sinha Inaugurates 2nd Khelo India Beach Games at Diu’s Blue Flag Beach | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor of Jammu Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, on Monday inaugurated the 2nd edition of the ‘Khelo India Beach Games’ at the Blue Flag certified Ghoghla Beach in Diu, emphasising India’s growing sports culture and youth empowerment.

The ceremony was also attended by Praful Patel, Administrator of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. A special message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi was read out, extending his felicitations to participating athletes and organisers.

Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said India is witnessing a new revolution in sports under the Prime Minister’s leadership. “From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, our youth are redefining sports excellence, conquering new grounds beyond traditional disciplines with sweat, dreams and victory,” he stated.

Highlighting the significance of the Beach Games, Shri Sinha said the event reflects the Government of India’s commitment to nurturing a strong sporting culture and boosting youth participation in coastal sports. He added that Jammu Kashmir takes pride in being an active participant in the national sporting movement.

The Lieutenant Governor urged athletes to act as brand ambassadors for ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’, promoting Diu’s culture and hospitality. He described the Games as a platform not only for winning medals but also for projecting India’s ‘soft power’ and showcasing its coastal tourism potential.

He further underscored the importance of environmental sustainability and the preservation of coastal ecosystems, stating that sports unite people beyond caste, religion, and region.

The 2026 edition follows the success of the inaugural Games, with over 1,300 athletes from 31 states and UTs competing across eight disciplines, including Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Beach Sepak Takraw, Beach Kabaddi, Beach Pencak Silat, Open Water Swimming, Beach Mallakhamb and Beach Tug of War.

Eminent sports personalities, senior officials, youth, and sports enthusiasts attended the grand opening ceremony, marking the beginning of five days of competitive and demonstration events.

Sinha congratulated Praful Patel and the people of the UT for hosting India’s first multi-sport Beach Games in 2024 and the inaugural Khelo India Beach Games in 2025, extending his best wishes to all participating athletes.