Isha Gramotsavam sports fest expands to 10 States
In a major boost to grassroots sports, Isha Gramotsavam, India’s largest annual rural sports festival, is set to expand its footprint to northern Indian States for its 18th edition. Organised by Sadhguru’s Isha Outreach, the tournament will now span 10 States and one Union Territory, making this the largest-ever chapter of the rural sporting event.
For the first time, the tournament — historically a highly anticipated fixture across rural southern India — will be conducted in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra, alongside Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry.
The mega-event is projected to bring together more than 80,000 players from over 40,000 villages, forming an estimated 7,000 teams. Notably, the edition will see the participation of nearly 15,000 women players.
The tournament boasts a total prize pool of over Rs 1 crore, designed to keep grassroots players highly motivated. While men will compete in volleyball, women will face off in throwball. The winning teams in both categories at the Grand Finale will receive Rs 5 lakh each, while the runners-up will be awarded Rs 3 lakh. Third and fourth-place teams will walk away with Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000, respectively.
Cash prizes will also be handed out during the Cluster and Divisional stages. Furthermore, the festival features dedicated awards for the Paralympic category, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive sports.
“With every edition, Isha Gramotsavam continues to grow not just in scale but in impact,” said Swami Pulaka, Gramotsavam Coordinator. “By intentionally excluding professional athletes, the tournament creates a rare opportunity for village players to experience structured competition and showcase their abilities on a national platform.”
The competition features a multi-stage format comprising cluster-level matches, divisional rounds, and the Grand Finale. The matches have already commenced.
