Women’s Day special: Over 2 lakh girls to compete and celebrate sports nationwide

In a major push to encourage women’s participation in sports, Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse on Monday announced that over two lakh girls from 250 districts across India will compete in ASMITA athletics events on March 8 and 9 , marking International Women’s Day (IWD).

The initiative, part of the Sports Ministry’s broader mission , aims not only to promote athletic talent among girls but also to lay the groundwork for a pool of women technical officials , with an eye on the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and India’s 2036 Olympic bid .

ASMITA , short for Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women , operates under the Khelo India Scheme and has been running since 2021. The program focuses on building women’s leagues and increasing engagement in competitive sports across age groups.

During the events, 100m, 200m, and 400m races will be conducted in the Under-13, 13–18, and 18+ categories . Each venue will have five Technical Officials, 10 Volunteers, a Competition Manager, a Past Champion Athlete, and a District Youth Officer to manage operations efficiently.

Alongside the competitions, a Women Technical Officials Development Workshop will provide training for referees and timekeepers. Participants will also receive guidance on Athletics Federation of India-aligned officiating norms, digital data management, and competition documentation.

Addressing the media, Khadse said, “It is an effort to identify talent for the 2030 CWG and the 2036 Olympics. Women’s participation is being encouraged across the country, but it is not as high as it should be.” She added, “Through ASMITA , we hope to bridge the gap and provide the necessary hand-holding for girls to take their first steps in sports.”

The nationwide event underscores the government’s focus on empowering young women through sports, creating opportunities not only as athletes but also as future technical officials and sports leaders.