369/2023-2024

Aizawl, the 28th February, 2024: The concluding programme for Men's Football Competition under Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2023, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Association of Indian Universities, Indian Olympic Association, and National Sports Federations, was held yesterday at 4:00 PM at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Mualpui which was graced by Pu Lalnghinglova Hmar, Minister of State for Sports & Youth Services, Government of Mizoram.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Sports & Youth Services (SYS) Minister Pu Lalnghinglova Hmar and also Chairman, Executive Committee (Mizoram) for Khelo India University Games, expressed satisfaction at the successful hosting of Khelo India University Games 2023 in Mizoram and thanked everyone involved in the programme. He expressed his admiration for witnessing a prolific football match from the University students. He reiterated that football in India is not a recreational sport anymore but a source of income and encouraged university students to make use of the combination of education and football to further their employment avenues. He also thanked the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Thakur for his keen interest and support for promoting sports in the state, and the North Eastern regions as a whole.

In the final match held at 2:00 PM, University of Calicut emerged as the champions by defeating University of Kerala 2-1 in the Kerela Derby. Punjabi University, Patiala, and Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, jointly secured the third position, with Jijo Jaison of University of Kerala being the top scorer with 6 goals.

The closing ceremony of the Khelo India University Games 2023 men's football event was chaired by Pu Lalramsanga Sailo, Secretary of the Sports & Youth Services Department, with the report presented by Pu Lalrengpuia, Competition Manager. Pu Lalnunhlua, Director of the Sports & Youth Services Department proposed vote of thanks concluding the programme.

The Khelo India University Games is one of the premier university-level sports events in India, and this year, except Manipur, other states from the North East region are hosting one sports discipline each; Assam as the main host is hosting 15 sports disciplines. The Games is being held from February 19 to 29, 2024.

In the men's football event of the Khelo India University Games 2023, eight university teams qualified, divided into two groups, and played in a league cum knockout system. The eight teams participating in the Khelo India University Games were selected by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), including Punjabi University, Patiala; Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar; University of Calicut, Kerala; University of Calcutta; Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam; Adamas University, West Bengal; Shivaji University, Kolhapur; and University of Kerala.

In the Khelo India University Games 2023 men's football event, a total of 161 athletes, 21 supporting staff, 23 technical officials (AIFF), 48 general officials, and 18 sports-specific volunteers were involved. The successful organization of the event was ensured through the coordination of officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), Sports Authority of India (SAI), as well as Local Organising Committee comprising various Line Departments under the State Government.

During the Khelo India University Games 2023 Men's Football event, 15 matches were played, resulting in a total of 47 goals, averaging 3.13 goals per match. There were 24 players contributing the goals, 7 clean sheet matches of which Punjabi University and University of Calicut both keeping 2 clean sheets each. There were a total of 37 yellow cards issued, with one player receiving a double yellow card.

The closing ceremony of the Khelo India University Games 2023 Men's Football event was also attended by Pu Lalfamkima, Deputy Speaker; Pu V. Malsawmtluanga, MLA, Vice Chairman, High Powered Committee; Lt. Col. Clement Lalhmingthanga, MLA; Pu Jeje Lalpekhlua, MLA; and Pu Lalramliana Papuia, MLA, among others.