Sansad Khel Mahotsav emerges as people’s movement for fitness and sporting excellence: Haryana CM

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday said that the Sansad Khel Mahotsav is not merely a sporting competition but a comprehensive health movement that inspires youth to adopt an active, disciplined, and purpose-driven lifestyle. Strengthening the Khelo India and Fit India initiatives at the grassroots level, he said that the Mahotsav has evolved into a people’s movement aimed at building a healthy, self-reliant, and disciplined generation.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the Sansad Khel Mahotsav in Fatehabad, the Chief Minister said the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming sports into a mass movement. He noted that the platform has played a vital role in identifying hidden sporting talent in rural areas and providing young athletes an opportunity to reach national and international arenas.

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On his arrival at the venue, Saini was accorded a warm welcome by Rajya Sabha MP and programme organiser Subhash Barala. Athletes participating in the finals took part in a ceremonial march-past. The Chief Minister formally inaugurated the final matches and watched the kabaddi final between teams from Sirsa and Fatehabad, interacting with and encouraging the players throughout the event.

He informed that nearly 45,000 athletes from nine Assembly segments of the Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency had registered for the Mahotsav, of whom 3,604 qualified for the finals across various sports disciplines. He added that the initiative has placed the Sirsa Lok Sabha constituency among the country’s top ten parliamentary constituencies in terms of sports participation.

Recalling Haryana’s sports vision formulated 11 years ago, the Chief Minister said the state aimed to connect every child with sports, create playgrounds in every village, and provide opportunities to every sports-loving youth. He expressed confidence that Haryana’s athletes would play a key role in achieving the Prime Minister’s goal of making India a global sporting power by the 2036 Olympics.

Emphasising that participation matters more than victory, Saini said sports instil discipline, dedication, and resilience, shaping youth into responsible citizens. Calling Haryana the “nursery of sports,” he said, 1,472 sports nurseries are currently training over 37,000 athletes with modern facilities and financial support.

Highlighting government incentives, he said 16,418 athletes have received cash awards worth Rs 683.15 crore, while scholarships and equipment support continue to strengthen the state’s sporting ecosystem.