First International Khelo India Games Triumph in South Africa

The initial phase of the Khelo India games, held outside India for the first time, concluded successfully in South Africa. Over two weeks, local South Africans and Indian expatriates engaged in volleyball, badminton, table tennis, and chess tournaments. Manish Gupta, chairman of the India Club, mentioned that four more traditional Indian games – Kabaddi, Kho Kho, Carrom, and Satoliya/Lagori – are scheduled for the second phase.

Collaboration and Community Involvement

The India Club co-hosted these events with the Consulate General of India in Johannesburg. "We gladly accepted the request of Consul General Mahesh Kumar to assist in coordinating the Khelo India events, and our executive members enthusiastically and passionately roped in a number of Indian expatriate organisations in South Africa to assist," Gupta said. He added that their inclusiveness led to involving various local associations in organising different sports.

Kumar highlighted that Khelo India was launched by the Indian government in 2017 to promote sports development within India. "We want to take this beyond national borders because sport unites people in a way nothing else can," Kumar said. He emphasised that hosting the first Khelo India event abroad in South Africa underscores the special bond between the two nations.

International Participation and Future Aspirations

Participants even travelled from neighbouring countries like Lesotho and Zimbabwe. The selected sports were chosen because they are not mainstream like cricket or football. Kumar noted that many competitors were nationals from other foreign countries residing in South Africa. "Staging the first Khelo India abroad in South Africa further highlights the special relationship that our two countries have always shared," Kumar said.

Gupta explained how different associations took charge of various tournaments. The South African Tamil Association managed volleyball, while the Gauteng Malayalee Association organised badminton. The India Club handled chess with international grading and table tennis as a national championship event with local bodies' support.

Kumar expressed hope for future exchanges between players from South Africa and India. "We are hoping that the Indian diaspora will also be able to participate in what can become another international event," he said. He envisioned a movement similar to major international sports events like the Commonwealth Games or Olympics.

The successful conclusion of this phase has set a positive precedent for future events. The involvement of both local South Africans and Indian expatriates has demonstrated the unifying power of sports across cultures and borders.