The Sports minister Rekha Arya said that the prize money in the Khel Mahakumbh has been raised this year in order to encourage youngsters. Addressing the media persons here on Thursday, Arya said that the Khel Mahakumbh is generally organised in October, but due to unforeseen circumstances this year's competition will start on October 31 and run until the end of December. She said that the Khel Mahakumbh will be held at four levels - Nyay Panchayat, block, district and State. Specifically, at the Nyay Panchayat level, the prize money for the first, second, and third-place winners will be Rs 300, Rs 200 and Rs 150 respectively. At the development block level, the first-place winner will receive Rs 500, the second place will receive Rs 400 and the third place will receive Rs 300. At the district level, prize money of Rs 800 will be given to the first place winner, whereas at the state level, prize money of Rs 1,500 will be given to the first place winner, she said.

The minister said that the age categories to participate in the competition at the Nyay Panchayat level is under 14 and under 17 in which players will participate in kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball and other sports. The three age-based categories to participate in the block, district and State level competition are under 14, under 17 and under 19.  She stressed that this year, for the first time, open games are being organised for the disabled among men and women, which include athletics and badminton.

She further instructed all the district magistrates to complete all the preparations regarding the said competition.