New Delhi: White searchlights sliced through the sky as a giant balloon hovered above Chhatrasal Stadium. Attached to it, a young girl danced gracefully in mid-air carrying the Delhi Khel Mahakumbh baton, her fluid movements captivating thousands of spectators. They watched as she turned the sky into her stage until, in a perfectly timed manoeuvre, she descended and handed the baton to chief minister Rekha Gupta, officially declaring the games open.Friday’s inauguration was also marked by a ceremonial march-past led by the city’s para-athletes. Gupta, along with education minister Ashish Sood and ex-Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan, the event’s brand ambassador, greeted participants as they toured the stadium in an open vehicle. Olympic medallist and Khel Ratna awardee Ravi Dahiya, along with Paralympic medallist Sharad Kumar, were present to lend their support.Addressing the gathering, Gupta said the event was more than a competition; it was a celebration of the energy, aspirations and immense potential of the city’s youth. “Delhi has never lacked talent. What had been missing was the right platform. This initiative is a historic step that will give direction and opportunity to lakhs of young athletes in the years to come,” she said, adding that since the formation of the current govt last year, efforts have been made not only to accelerate development in Delhi but also to create new opportunities for young people. Nearly Rs 33 crore in long-pending prize money, which had not been released for almost three decades, has now disbursed to athletes, she said.Sood described Delhi Khel Mahakumbh as a people’s movement towards making the city the sports capital of India. Calling it the beginning of a “new dawn” for sports in Delhi, he said every local akhada 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 said, adding that strengthening the sports ecosystem — from stadium infrastructure to support systems for athletes — is a key priority. “A strong sports culture is a pillar of a strong city. By investing in fitness, discipline and competitive spirit, we are building a more confident Delhi,” he said.Scheduled to run for a month, the sporting festival will take place across 16 stadiums and sports complexes across the city, including Thyagraj Stadium, Chhatrasal Stadium, Pehladpur Sports Complex, East Vinod Nagar Sports Complex and Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.Organisers expect participation of nearly 30,000 athletes, with over 15,000 already registered through the official portal. Athletes from Delhi University and GGSIPU, alongside registered sports clubs, academies and associations, will compete on an open, inclusive platform designed to give everyone a chance to showcase his or her talent. The initiative is not just about winning medals; it is about encouraging healthy lifestyles, nurturing grassroots talent and building a robust sports culture across every constituency in Delhi, preparing athletes to represent the city and the country on national and international stages.The event will encompass several major competitions, including Delhi State School Games, National School Games, Khelo Delhi and Constituency Games. Competitions will span seven key disciplines: athletics, football, wrestling across 10 weight categories, basketball, volleyball, kabaddi and squash, covering singles, doubles and mixed doubles events. Track-and-field events — from 100m to 3,000m, and field events like long jump, high jump, shot put and javelin, promise to thrill spectators and test the limits of Delhi’s budding athletes.In team events, gold medal winners will receive Rs 1,75,000, silver will fetch Rs 1,51,000 and bronze winners will get Rs 1,31,000. In individual events, gold, silver, and bronze medallists will be awarded Rs 11,000, Rs 9,000, and Rs 7,000, respectively.The grand march-past at the launch event featured over 1,000 participants, including CWSN athletes, school bands, Nashik dhol performers, and players representing Delhi’s universities and sports associations. Several athletes were felicitated during the event. A high-energy performance by singer Parmish Verma added to the celebratory atmosphere.
