New Delhi, March 2: Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse on Monday announced a unique nationwide athletics league under the ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action) programme to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8.
The large-scale initiative, to be conducted at 250 locations across the country, aims to promote women’s participation in athletics and encourage girls—especially from villages and small towns—to pursue sports as a career, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing a media conference at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Shrimati Khadse said the ASMITA platform has already gained significant popularity nationwide and offers an ideal opportunity to integrate young women through sport.
In the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, four centres will host the athletics league. Kargil in Ladakh will stage the special ASMITA League event, while Rajouri, Srinagar and Udhampur will organise competitions as part of the International Women’s Day celebrations.
The events will focus on athletics disciplines — 100m, 200m and 400m races — across three age categories: Under-13, 13–18 years and 18+.
Under the programme, each venue will be supported by five technical officials, ten volunteers, a competition manager, a Past Champion Athlete (PCA) and a District Youth Officer. A record participation of nearly 2.5 lakh women athletes is expected on a single day across the country.
ASMITA, launched in 2021 under the Khelo India mission, is supported by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in collaboration with National Sports Federations. So far, over 2,600 leagues across 34 sports disciplines have been conducted in more than 550 districts and 700 cities, with participation exceeding three lakh women.
The initiative has reached remote areas including states in the North-East and regions previously affected by Left-Wing Extremism, significantly expanding grassroots access to sports.
The League will be implemented in coordination with MY Bharat, Khelo India Centres, SAI’s ecosystem and National Centres of Excellence, State and District Sports Associations, and District Youth Officers.
Highlighting India’s sporting ambitions, including preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the country’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, Shrimati Khadse said readiness must begin at the district level. She emphasised that beyond infrastructure, hosting global events requires trained technical officials, administrative excellence and strong grassroots systems.
Each venue will also feature women technical officials, developmental workshops, orientation on Athletics Federation of India–aligned officiating norms, and digital competition data management training to strengthen capacity building.
The Minister reiterated that the primary objective of the ASMITA League is to inspire and empower young girls across India to embrace sports, fostering confidence, opportunity and national sporting excellence. (PIB)
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