Empowering Women in Sports: ASMITA League Launched to Boost Participation
Minister Advocates for Increased Women's Participation in Sports
On Sunday, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, emphasized that enhancing India's medal tally in the Olympics and other multi-sport events hinges on significantly increasing women's involvement in athletics.
These comments were made during the inauguration of a nationwide athletics league, ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action), which is set to take place at 250 locations across the country. The event was held at the Divisional Sports Complex in Garkheda, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, coinciding with International Women's Day. The Minister also launched various leagues for yoga, wushu, kickboxing, and weightlifting under the ASMITA initiative, alongside a cyclothon and walkathon organized by the Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in collaboration with local organizations to promote fitness and women's empowerment.
ASMITA: A Driving Force for Sporting Excellence
Khadse described ASMITA as a pivotal initiative for enhancing India's performance in international sports. He stated, "International Women's Day serves as a reminder that women's rights and equal opportunities are essential for nation-building. By empowering women, we uplift society as a whole. This is the essence of ASMITA, which was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021."
"ASMITA is instrumental in discovering talent from grassroots levels, including rural and tribal backgrounds. An increase in participation leads to a larger talent pool, heightened competition, and ultimately, improved medal counts. If more women engage in sports, our performance in major events will also rise. Thus, ASMITA acts as a catalyst for enhancing our medal tally in international competitions like the Olympics."
Participation Statistics and Nationwide Events
To date, the ASMITA League has attracted nearly 300,000 women across 33 sports disciplines through 2,600 leagues. In the 2025-26 period, approximately 159,000 women have already participated in 1,287 leagues.
In celebration of International Women's Day, the ASMITA athletics league featured races in three categories: 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters, tailored for girls aged under 13, 13-18, and 18 and above. This one-day event saw participation from 200,000 girls nationwide, facilitated through partnerships with MY Bharat, Khelo India Centres, and various sports associations.
A Vision for a Healthier, Empowered Nation
Khadse concluded with a vision for a more active India, stating, "We aim for every district to engage in sports, every daughter to gain confidence, and fitness to become a national norm. Through initiatives like Khelo India, Fit India, MY Bharat, and ASMITA, we are fostering a stronger, fitter, and empowered nation. Under the Prime Minister's guidance, India's sports ecosystem is evolving to be more inclusive and focused on women."