Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Haryana CM Saini inaugurates 6th Khel Maha Kumbh
15,410 Players Compete in 26 Sports Disciplines; CM Saini Says, “Khel Maha Kumbh is a Launchpad for Future Olympians”
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 2, 2025: A powerful celebration of youth, dreams, and determination unfolded today at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Panchkula, where Haryana’s sixth state-level Khel Maha Kumbh was inaugurated with grandeur.
Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini opened the event by kickstarting a kabaddi match and declaring the games open, calling the event “a platform that gives wings to the aspirations of our youth.”
This year, 15,410 players from across the state will showcase their skills in 26 different sports, making this edition of the Kumbh one of the biggest yet.The CM said the state’s sports journey—rooted in the 2017 Golden Jubilee year—is now yielding global results, with Haryana aiming to dominate the 2036 Olympics, where India is hoping to emerge as a sports superpower.
“Our goal is for every village in Haryana to produce a champion who can raise the national flag on the global stage,” CM Saini declared. “This Khel Maha Kumbh is not just an event—it’s a movement.”
CM Saini emphasized that the state's long-term ambition is not just to make Haryana the sports capital of India, but of the world. He recalled how Haryana athletes contributed 5 out of 6 medals for India in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and 4 out of 7 medals in Tokyo 2020.
In the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022, 82 athletes from Haryana participated, winning 28 out of India’s 111 medals. Haryana also shone at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, winning 20 medals.
“These results stem from our vision to nurture talent from childhood, provide financial support, world-class coaching, and build modern sports infrastructure,” he added.
Currently, 1,489 sports nurseries across Haryana are training over 37,000 athletes, with monthly financial support of ₹1,500–2,000 for young players. Since 2014, the state has awarded ₹593 crore in cash prizes, given jobs to 224 athletes, and created 550 new posts under the Utkrisht Khiladi Seva Niyam 2021.
More than ₹53 crore in sports scholarships have also been distributed to over 29,000 students. Additionally, under the Haryana Sports Equipment Provision Scheme, 15,634 athletes have received gear to improve their performance.
Minister Gaurav Gautam: "Haryana Leading India's Sports Story"
Minister of State for Sports Gaurav Gautam praised CM Saini’s leadership, calling the Khel Maha Kumbh bigger than even the national-level Khelo India events. “Players from Haryana—just 2% of India’s population—win over 60% of the medals. That’s the power of our commitment,” he said.
He highlighted the role of Mission Olympic Vijay Bhava, which is preparing athletes specifically for Olympics 2036 with international-level coaching, sports science, and grassroots development.
He also took a swipe at the previous government:
“While the Congress government spent only ₹33 crore on sports, we have invested ₹600 crore between 2014 and 2024.”
Present at the event were MP Kartikeya Sharma, MLA Shakti Rani Sharma, Panchkula Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, former Assembly Speaker Gyan Chand Gupta, Sports Principal Secretary Navdeep Singh Virk, Director Sanjeev Verma, and renowned athletes Babita Phogat and Deepak Hooda, among others.
The 6th Khel Maha Kumbh not only reinforced Haryana’s commitment to sports excellence but also became a beacon of hope for young athletes—a space where dreams begin and champions are made.