Khel Mahakumbh fosters new sporting culture in Gujarat: CM Patel

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Friday launched the 2026 edition of Khel Mahakumbh in Vadodara, with a record of over 76 lakh participants registering for the state's flagship sporting initiative.
Highlighting the growth of the event since its launch in 2010, Patel said participation had increased from around 16.5 lakh in its inaugural edition to 76 lakh this year, reflecting a significant change in Gujarat's sporting culture over the past 25 years."Gujarat is hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the prospects of the state hosting the 2036 Olympic Games is bright. This presents a huge opportunity for Gujarat," Patel said.He added that the state must identify and train young athletes who are currently 10 to 12 years old so they can represent India at the 2036 Olympic Games.

VIDEO | Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel highlights how Khel Mahakumbh has nurtured a strong sports culture in Gujarat, providing a platform for talented sportspersons to showcase their abilities. With over 76 lakh participants in Khel Mahakumbh-2026, the initiative reflects growing enthusiasm for sports and the state’s commitment to preparing athletes for international-level competitions. (Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)

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Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of enabling Indian athletes to qualify in sporting disciplines where the country has not traditionally qualified, Patel said Gujarat would take up the challenge by strengthening grassroots training and talent identification.He highlighted initiatives such as Khelo India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which provide opportunities for athletes to progress from grassroots competitions to national and international platforms. Around 410 athletes from Gujarat are being trained under Khelo India, while around 11 are part of TOPS, he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi said Khel Mahakumbh had played a significant role in nurturing sporting talent, with athletes from Gujarat achieving success at national and international competitions.He added that the state had increased the budget for athletes' training and facilities fourfold, while the number of athletes covered under the Shaktidoot Scheme had risen from 50 to 500.

Vadodara, Gujarat: On more than 76 lakh students participating in Khel Mahakumbh, Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi says, "The state government has launched an initiative to encourage young people to stay away from mobile phones and engage in sports. The government aims to teach young people to accept defeat and remain humble after winning. Khel Mahakumbh is witnessing participation from more young people than the populations of several countries. Gujarat's athletes are helping India emerge as a winner at the national and international levels, crediting Khel Mahakumbh for this achievement. Under the Chief Minister's efforts, expenditure on athletes has been increased fourfold. More than 500 students will be brought under the Shaktidoot Yojana. Gujarat has been given the opportunity to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and the state will make every effort to make the event historic." (Source: Bhupendra Patel)

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Both leaders also encouraged young people to participate in outdoor sports and reduce their dependence on mobile phones and other digital platforms.At the event, the winners of Khel Mahakumbh 2025 were felicitated.

Knowledge High School in Nadiad secured first place among schools and received Rs 5 lakh, followed by Urmi School in Vadodara with Rs 3 lakh and S.R. High School in Devgadh Baria with Rs 2 lakh.

Among districts, Mehsana emerged as the overall champion, followed by Kheda and Ahmedabad. Surat secured the top position among municipal corporations, with Ahmedabad finishing second and Vadodara third.The state government aims to use Khel Mahakumbh to identify promising athletes, expand access to sports facilities and prepare young talent for major international competitions, including the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the proposed 2036 Olympic Games in India.

(State Correspondent)