‘Delhi Khel Mahakumbh’ to Begin on 13 February Across 16 Stadiums and Multiple Venues

The Delhi Khel Mahakumbh is set to kick off on 13 February, as announced by Delhi Sports and Education Minister Ashish Sood. The opening ceremony will be graced by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Promoting Sports Culture in Delhi
The Delhi government is organizing this grand sports festival to promote sports culture and participation among the city’s youth. The initial phase will feature seven sports: kabaddi, football, athletics, wrestling, basketball, volleyball, and squash.

Over 20,000 athletes are expected to participate. The month-long event will take place across 16 stadiums and multiple venues, including Bawana, Vikas Puri, and Najafgarh, ensuring that youth from all areas have an equal opportunity to compete. During the announcement, Minister Sood also unveiled the official mascot, “Ranveer”, symbolizing the energy, courage, and sportsmanship of Delhi’s youth.

Prizes for Winners
Minister Sood outlined the rewards for team and individual events:

• Team events: Gold – ₹1,75,000 | Silver – ₹1,51,000 | Bronze – ₹1,31,000
• Individual events: Gold – ₹11,000 | Silver – ₹9,000 | Bronze – ₹7,000

Government’s Focus on Sports
Speaking at the press conference, Sood emphasized that the current Delhi government is prioritizing sports, aiming to make the city the sports capital of India. He criticized the previous administration for inadequate budgets that limited opportunities for national and international participation. Sports budgets declined from ₹60 crore in 2021–22 to ₹26 crore in 2023–24 and 2024–25. The present government has tripled the allocation to ₹76 crore for 2025–26, signaling a renewed commitment to youth and sports development.