Rekha launches Delhi Khel Mahakumbh
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday launched the first-ever state-level mega sports festival, “Khelo Delhi-Delhi Khel Mahakumbh”, at Chhatrasal Stadium. The month-long event will be held across 17 major stadiums and sports complexes in Delhi, with a target of engaging over 30,000 players.
The official mascot of the festival, named “Ranveer”, was also unveiled at the inauguration ceremony. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the event is not just a competition but a celebration of the aspirations and energy of Delhi’s youth.
She said the initiative aims to provide a strong platform to young talent and promote a culture of sports in the Capital. The festival is inspired by the Prime Minister’s vision and aligned with the Khelo India Mission and Fit India Movement.
The Government said the objective is to connect youth with sports, promote a healthy lifestyle, and develop Delhi as a strong sports hub. Olympic medallist and Khel Ratna awardee Ravi Dahiya, international cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, and Paralympic medallist Sharad Kumar have been appointed brand ambassadors of the event.
The Chief Minister and other dignitaries toured the stadium in an open jeep and greeted participants. The highlight of the programme was a grand march-past by over 1,000 athletes, including CWSN players, school bands, and representatives from universities and sports associations. Apart from all these, Singer Parmish Verma also performed at the event.
The Chief Minister said the Government has cleared nearly Rs 33 crore in long-pending sports reward payments that had not been disbursed for almost three decades.
She also outlined the new sports policy. Under the policy, Olympic or Paralympic gold medallists will receive Rs 7 crore, silver medallists Rs 5 crore, and bronze medallists Rs 3 crore. Athletes representing the country at national and international levels will receive annual assistance of Rs 20 lakh.
Students competing at the state and national levels will get Rs 5 lakh in financial aid and life insurance cover up to Rs 10 lakh. She said the Government is committed to building world-class sports infrastructure in Delhi. Plans include new stadiums, modern training facilities, better equipment, and trained coaches.
The aim is to ensure that Delhi’s athletes do not face any shortage of resources at national and international competitions. Speaking at the event, Cabinet Minister Ashish Sood described the Delhi KhelMahakumbh 2025-26 as a people’s movement toward making the national capital the sports Capital of India.
Calling it the beginning of a “new dawn” for sports in Delhi, he said every local akhara and neighbourhood stadium will now become a training ground for future global champions. “Delhi is not just returning to sports, it is preparing to lead,” he remarked.
Competitions will be held in seven disciplines: athletics, football, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, kabaddi, and squash. Participants include students from schools and colleges, Delhi University, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, sports academies, registered clubs, and open-category players. More than 16,000 athletes have already registered for the mega sporting event.
In team events, gold medal winners will receive Rs 1,75,000, silver medal winners Rs 1,51,000, and bronze medal winners Rs 1,31,000. In individual events, gold, silver, and bronze medalists will be awarded Rs 11,000, Rs 9,000, and Rs 7,000, respectively.
The Government has also placed special focus on increasing women’s participation and ensuring safety and adequate facilities for female athletes.
