More than 30,000 athletes are likely to take part in the month-long sports competition ‘Khelo Delhi-Delhi Khel Mahakumbh’ to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday, Education Minister Ashish Sood said on Thursday. This marks a historic initiative in Delhi’s sporting journey, aimed at strengthening and promoting a vibrant sports culture in the national capital, he said after hosting an interactive dialogue regarding the event. Along with media representatives, more than 50 sports influencers across India, Arjuna Awardees, fitness coaches, and sports personalities participated in the interaction. Sood stated that Delhi has no shortage of talent; what is required is the right platform and opportunity.
The Delhi Government is organising competitions in seven major sports disciplines during the initial phase of the Mahakumbh, including football, basketball, volleyball, kabaddi, and other selected events. The competitions will be conducted across 17 major stadiums in Delhi, including Chhatrasal Stadium, Bawana, Najafgarh, Vikaspuri, South Delhi, and other key locations. Highlighting the scale of participation, the Minister stated that more than 16,000 athletes have already registered, and the registration process is ongoing. The Government aims to ensure participation of over 30,000 athletes in this month-long sports festival. In the coming years, the target is to expand participation to over one lakh grassroots athletes annually.
The Education Minister emphasised that the Mahakumbh will provide a significant platform for women athletes as well. Adequate attention will be given to women’s safety and participation. Increased involvement of women in sports will create a positive ripple effect, encouraging more women to actively participate. Sood noted that sports instil discipline among youth and play a crucial role in keeping them away from substance abuse and other social evils. Through this initiative, not only will emerging talent be identified, but structured efforts will also be made to support their progression to national and international levels. He added that the event will also help assess and enhance sports infrastructure across Delhi. Hosting competitions in various stadiums will provide valuable insights into infrastructural requirements, enabling future upgrades.
