Sports · Other Sports · 6 hrs ago
Softball to debut at Khelo India Youth Games in Telangana
Telangana will host the 2026 Khelo India Youth Games from December 11 to 22.
The Games will take place in Hyderabad and five other cities in the state.
Softball will be a competitive sport for the first time at the youth event.
Sailing will also join the programme, but only as a demonstration event.
The schedule includes 27 competitive sports and one demonstration sport, with close to 6,000 athletes expected to take part.
The Games are part of a national sports programme that gives young athletes a platform to compete and develop.
The event is expected to bring together athletes and support staff for 12 days; it will be Telangana’s first time hosting the Khelo India Youth Games.
Softball will make its debut as a competitive sport at the 2026 Khelo India Youth Games in Telangana.
The Games will run from December 11 to 22, with sailing included as a demonstration event.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced the schedule on November 9, 2026.
The 12-day event is expected to involve close to 6,000 athletes and 1,800 support staff.
Events will be held in Hyderabad and five other Telangana cities.
- Who
- Close to 6,000 athletes and 1,800 support staff are expected to take part.
- What
- The 2026 Khelo India Youth Games will feature 27 competitive sports and one demonstration sport. Softball is a competitive sport; sailing is a demonstration event.
- When
- December 11 to 22, 2026.
- Where
- Telangana, with events in Hyderabad, Khammam, Hanumankonda, Karimnagar, Nizamabad and Mahbubnagar.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The previous edition of the Khelo India Youth Games was held in Bihar.
Mansukh Mandaviya announced the full schedule of the 2026 Games.
Telangana is scheduled to host the Khelo India Youth Games.
- Competitive sports
- 27
- Demonstration sports
- 1: sailing
- Expected athletes
- Close to 6,000
- Expected support staff
- 1,800
- Host cities
- Hyderabad, Khammam, Hanumankonda, Karimnagar, Nizamabad and Mahbubnagar
What people are saying
I am very excited to announce the schedule of Khelo India Youth Games 2026.
Since KIYG are coming at the back of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, we can expect to see some quality performances.
Sailing is one such sport and we are extremely happy that our sailors will be part of the Games and help promote their sport.