Assessing Gujarat's Khel Mahakumbh Event – Unlocking Major Opportunities for Youth and Children in the State

Abstract

United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015 and included Sport for Development and Peace as one of the global action to pursue these goals. Declaration of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has aptly acknowledged the role of Sport. Gujarat has initiated in this direction with the inception of various sports related activities like establishment of Swarnim Gujarat Sports University, Khele Gujarat Mission with yearly sport event like Khel Mahakubh to develop and encourage children and youth of Gujarat towards sports and over all development of the State. The present research article intends to identify these efforts and assessment of the same with specific focus on Khel Mahakumbh. The results are robust in a way the participation of various age groups in various sports event. The efforts of Government have also increased with the budget allocation and establishment of infrastructural facilities all over the State. Though the picture is dismal so far as National and International sports event participation and ranking of the State is concerned. A Holistic approach is needed to track on the efforts of Government for Sustainable Development of the State.

Keywords: Sports, Gujarat, Sustainable Development

JEL Classification: Z20, O150, O180