The second edition of the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) began on a vibrant note at Ghoghla Beach in Diu on Monday, with a special message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Featuring over 2,100 participants from across the country, the Games will run until January 10.
Diu has taken on a festive atmosphere for the occasion, with the Khelo India Beach Games mascot ‘Pearl’, a cheerful and energetic dolphin, greeting athletes, officials, volunteers and other stakeholders associated with KIBG 2026.
Organised by the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, the Khelo India Beach Games are being conducted under the technical supervision of the Sports Authority of India and the respective national sports federations.
More than 1,100 athletes will compete across eight disciplines, namely volleyball, soccer, sepak takraw, kabaddi, pencak silat, open water swimming, mallakhamb and tug-of-war. The first six disciplines will be medal events, with a total of 32 gold medals on offer.
Extending his best wishes to the athletes and congratulating the Union Territory for hosting the Games, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of the event.
“The Khelo India Beach Games occupy a special place in India’s sporting landscape. Beach and coastal sports demand physical endurance, mental strength and the ability to perform under constantly changing conditions. By bringing emerging disciplines to the forefront, these Games expand the horizons of Indian sport and create new pathways for talent to be discovered, recognised and nurtured.”
The Prime Minister also praised the organisers for selecting Ghoghla Beach as the venue. “The choice of Ghoghla Beach, a Blue Flag certified beach, as the venue is particularly noteworthy. Sport, when hosted in harmony with nature, becomes a powerful medium for both athletic achievements and environmental awareness. This setting reminds us that excellence and sustainability progress together.”
The Games were officially declared open by the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, following the parade of athletes and a ceremonial torch relay. The relay featured four athletes who have excelled in beach sports – Don Remedios (beach football), Payal Parmar (beach volleyball), Ajish Patel and Jalpa Solanki (both tug-of-war). The torch was formally placed by Sinha along with the Administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep, Praful Patel.
Highlighting Jammu and Kashmir’s success at the previous edition, Sinha said, “It gives me immense pleasure to inform you that the first Khelo India Beach Games 2025, held at this very beach, witnessed an exceptional performance by the players from Jammu and Kashmir. Competing in pencak silat, our athletes brought great pride by securing a total of nine medals.”
Sinha also spoke about development initiatives in Diu, noting: “Since 2014, the Union Territory Administration has undertaken remarkable development initiatives in Diu. These include the redevelopment of the INS Khukri Memorial, the achievement of Blue Flag certification for Ghoghla Beach, and significant progress in strengthening both urban and rural infrastructure. These efforts reflect the administration’s strong commitment to sustainable development and tourism promotion.”
In his message, Prime Minister Modi reiterated the broader role of sport in nation-building. “Today, India is witnessing a deep transformation of its sporting culture. Across the country a renewed emphasis on institutional outreach, grassroots participation and cultural change is reshaping how sporting talent is identified and supported. Modern infrastructure, scientific training methods and transparent competition platforms are increasingly accessible to young athletes, irrespective of background or geography.”
Linking sport to the nation’s long-term vision, the Prime Minister added: “As the nation moves steadily towards the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, our youth stand at the forefront of this journey. Opportunities now span every sphere, whether sports or science, academics or administration, space or start-ups. This is creating an ecosystem where aspiration is matched by access.”
He further noted that initiatives such as Khelo India, the Sansad Khel Mahotsav and the Target Olympics Podium Scheme are redefining India’s approach to preparing athletes for global competition and sustained success.
Earlier in the day, competitive action got underway in beach soccer and beach kabaddi, with several teams making strong starts. In women’s beach soccer, defending champions Odisha produced a dominant performance to defeat Maharashtra 11-3 in Group A, while debutants Himachal Pradesh came from behind in the third quarter to register a 7-5 win over hosts Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu in Group B.
In beach kabaddi, Maharashtra’s men’s and women’s teams opened their campaigns with comfortable victories. The women’s side beat Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu 64-22, while the men’s team defeated Delhi 47-20 in their respective group matches.