New Delhi – Delhi education and sports minister Ashish Sood announced the launch of Delhi Khel Mahakumbh, a month-long sporting extravaganza set to commence on February 13. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will inaugurate this groundbreaking state-level event that aims to position Delhi as the sports capital of India while providing equal opportunities for youth across the capital.
The Delhi Khel Mahakumbh represents a significant shift in the city government’s approach to sports development and youth engagement. With participation expected from over 20,000 athletes competing across multiple disciplines and venues, this inaugural event marks an ambitious attempt to integrate sports with education and youth development throughout the national capital.
Comprehensive Sports Program Structure
The initial phase of Delhi Khel Mahakumbh will feature seven distinct sporting disciplines designed to showcase diverse athletic talents. The event will include kabaddi, football, athletics, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, and squash, ensuring representation across traditional and modern sports categories.
Competition venues for Delhi Khel Mahakumbh span 16 different stadiums and sports facilities across the capital. Locations include Bawana, Vikaspuri, and Najafgarh, strategically selected to ensure accessibility for athletes from all areas of Delhi. This geographical distribution reflects the government’s commitment to democratizing sports participation and eliminating barriers based on location or resources.
“Aao Delhi Khele” – The Unifying Motto
The Delhi Khel Mahakumbh operates under the inspiring motto “Aao Delhi Khele,” which translates to “Come, Delhi, Let’s Play.” This slogan encapsulates the event’s inclusive philosophy and its ambition to create a sports-oriented culture among Delhi’s youth population. Government officials emphasized that this first-ever sports Mahakumbh aims to fundamentally integrate athletic activities with educational frameworks and youth development programs.
The motto of Delhi Khel Mahakumbh serves as a rallying cry for young people across socioeconomic backgrounds to participate in organized sports, develop their talents, and potentially pursue athletic careers at national and international levels.
Attractive Prize Structure
Minister Sood outlined substantial cash prizes designed to incentivize participation and recognize athletic excellence at Delhi Khel Mahakumbh. For team events, gold-winning teams will receive ₹1,75,000, silver medalists will earn ₹1,51,000, and bronze medal winners will take home ₹1,31,000.
Individual event champions at Delhi Khel Mahakumbh will also receive significant financial rewards. Gold medalists in individual competitions will receive ₹11,000, silver medalists ₹9,000, and bronze medalists ₹7,000. These prize amounts represent meaningful recognition for athletes and demonstrate the government’s investment in rewarding sporting achievement.
Official Mascot “Ranveer” Unveiled
During the announcement ceremony, Minister Sood unveiled “Ranveer,” the official mascot for Delhi Khel Mahakumbh. The mascot was chosen to symbolize energy, courage, and the sporting spirit characteristic of Delhi’s youth population.
“Ranveer symbolises energy, courage, and sporting spirit of Delhi’s youth,” Sood explained. The mascot will serve as the visual identity for Delhi Khel Mahakumbh, appearing in promotional materials and helping to build excitement and brand recognition for the event among young people across the capital.
Government’s Renewed Sports Priority
Speaking at a press conference at the Delhi Secretariat, Minister Sood emphasized that under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s leadership, the Delhi government has accorded renewed priority to sports development. The administration has resolved to transform Delhi into the sports capital of India through sustained investment and programmatic initiatives like Delhi Khel Mahakumbh.
Sood criticized previous governmental approaches, stating that inadequate budgetary support had deprived children of opportunities to participate at national and international levels. He provided detailed budget figures illustrating declining investment in sports over recent years.
Dramatic Budget Increase
The sports minister presented stark statistics comparing sports budgets across fiscal years. The sports budget stood at ₹60 crore in 2021-22, was reduced to ₹41 crore in 2022-23, further slashed to ₹26 crore in 2023-24, and remained stagnant at ₹26 crore through 2024-25.
In contrast, the current government has tripled the allocation for Sports and Youth Affairs to ₹76 crore in 2025-26. This substantial increase demonstrates the administration’s commitment to supporting Delhi Khel Mahakumbh and other sports development initiatives going forward.
Comprehensive Sports Development Vision
Minister Sood reiterated that the current government has launched several initiatives beyond Delhi Khel Mahakumbh to promote sports across the capital. These include financial assistance programs for promising athletes and improvements to sports facilities and infrastructure throughout Delhi.
The Delhi Khel Mahakumbh serves as the flagship program in this comprehensive vision, designed to identify talent, provide competitive experience, and create pathways for Delhi’s youth to achieve excellence in sports. As the February 13 inauguration approaches, anticipation builds among athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts across the capital for this transformative month-long celebration of athletic achievement and youth potential.
