New Delhi, February 07: Weightlifter and Olympics bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari said on Tuesday that the Khelo India School Games are a golden opportunity for the youth of the country. Speaking at the sidelines of a 'Khelo India' event, Malleswari told reporters, "This is a golden opportunity for the youth of the country. We did not have these kinds of facilities in our times." The Khelo India programme has been introduced to revive the sports culture in the country at the grassroots level and make India a sporting nation.

Lauding Union sports minister Rajyavardhan Rathore for the initiative, Malleswari said since he is also an Olympian, he knows how to identify talent. "Our minister is also an Olympian so he knows how to identify talent. The biggest advantage of the 'khelo India' school games will be that now schools will also promote sports along with education," she said. Malleswari, who retired from the sport after the 2004 Athens Olympics, added, "If we see now, there are not many opportunities for children; there is not much encouragement for sports. But if the schools have an opportunity to attain fame through 'Khelo India', they will support students and meanwhile parents will also offer support to them."

The first Khelo India School Games, which are a part of the programme, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Januray 31 and the games will conclude on Feb 8.