The Delhi government is set to roll out the first edition of the Delhi Khel Mahakumbh, a month-long sporting initiative that will begin on February 13. The event will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and is expected to see participation from more than 20,000 athletes from across the capital.
Announcing the initiative, Delhi education and sports minister Ashish Sood said the programme has been designed to provide equal sporting opportunities for young people across the city. The competition will bring together participants from schools, colleges and local communities, with a focus on encouraging wider engagement in sport.
In its initial phase, the Delhi Khel Mahakumbh will feature seven disciplines, including kabaddi, football, athletics, wrestling, basketball, volleyball and squash. Matches and competitions will be held across 16 stadiums and venues in different parts of Delhi, including Bawana, Vikaspuri, and Najafgarh.
Officials described the event as the first state-level sports Mahakumbh of its kind, built around the motto “Aao Delhi Khele”. The initiative aims to link sports with education and youth development, while also creating a structured platform for emerging talent to compete and gain exposure.
The government has also announced prize money for winners across team and individual categories. In team events, gold medal winners will receive ₹1,75,000, silver medalists ₹1,51,000 and bronze medalists ₹1,31,000. In individual events, gold medalists will be awarded ₹11,000, silver ₹9,000 and bronze ₹7,000.
Addressing the media at the Delhi Secretariat, Sood said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the government has placed renewed emphasis on sports and is working towards transforming Delhi into the sports capital of India.
“The previous government failed to allocate adequate budgetary support for sports due to which children were deprived of opportunities to participate at national and international levels. The sports budget stood at ₹60 crore in 2021–22, which was reduced to ₹41 crore in 2022–23, further slashed to ₹26 crore in 2023–24, and remained stagnant at ₹26 crore till 2024–25. The present government has tripled the allocation for Sports and Youth Affairs to ₹76 crore in 2025–26,” Sood added.
He further reiterated that the current administration has introduced multiple measures to support athletes, including improved infrastructure, better facilities and enhanced financial assistance, as part of a broader push to strengthen Delhi’s sporting ecosystem.
The Delhi Khel Mahakumbh promises to be a great festival of sport in the National Capital.
Edited by Ashwin
