ASMITA Athletics League Expands Women's Participation Across India Through Grassroots Sport

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India marked International Women's Day with a large-scale ASMITA athletics league, reaching 250 venues nationwide and drawing 2 lakh girl participants in one day. Races over 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres ran for under-13, 13-18 and 18-plus age groups, highlighting a push to grow women's participation in sport and build a wider talent base.

During the celebrations at the Divisional Sports Complex in Garkheda, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Mrs Raksha Nikhil Khadse linked this surge in participation with India's medal ambitions. Mrs Khadse stressed that better Olympic and multi-sport results depended on a steep rise in women entering organised sport, starting from local and school levels.

ASMITA athletics league focus on grassroots sports and women empowerment

Khadse described ASMITA, short for Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action, as a tool to change that landscape. The minister said the programme, launched in 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was designed to find potential athletes from rural, tribal and school backgrounds, where many girls previously lacked access to structured competitions or regular training.

Calling ASMITA an engine for stronger international performances, Khadse stated: "International Women's Day reminds us that women's rights, dignity, and equal opportunities are not just a social necessity, but the foundation of nation building. By providing opportunities to women, the entire society becomes empowered. That is what we are doing through ASMITA, which was launched in 2021 by our Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

ASMITA athletics league participation data and multi-sport expansion

Officials reported that the ASMITA League had already engaged almost 3 lakh women across 33 sporting disciplines, spread over 2600 leagues held so far. During 2025-26 alone, about 1.59 lakh women took part in 1287 leagues. The latest athletics drive on 8 March added a sharp one-day spike, with 2 lakh girls running in sprint events at locations across the country.

The International Women's Day programme in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar extended beyond track events. The Union Minister of State formally started yoga, wushu, kickboxing and weightlifting leagues under the ASMITA banner. Khadse also flagged off a cyclothon and a walkathon, giving participants more options to engage with fitness and organised sport in different formats.

ASMITA athletics league partnerships and wider fitness ecosystem

The Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar coordinated the day's events along with several partners. MY Bharat, the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation, and the Maharashtra State Sports Department worked with SAI to stage the cyclothon, walkathon and leagues, while Khelo India Centres and District Youth Officers supported implementation across districts.

Collaborating state and district sports associations helped stage the 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres races in multiple venues. Organisers said the focus was not only competition, but also creating a culture where girls could access safe, regular sporting platforms. This aligned with broader schemes like Khelo India and Fit India, which aimed to encourage daily physical activity.

Linking these initiatives, Khadse underlined the wider fitness message: "Let every district become active in sports, every daughter become confident, and fitness become a national habit. Through Khelo India, Fit India, MY Bharat, and ASMITA, we are building a stronger, fitter, and empowered India. Under the vision of Hon'ble Prime Minister, India's sports ecosystem is continuously becoming more inclusive and women-centric," Khadse said.

Officials and organisers at the ASMITA athletics league events stressed that higher participation would expand the talent pool, intensify competition and support better medal prospects at Olympic and other major international events. They noted that the growing number of women entering ASMITA leagues, across athletics and other sports, reflected a continuing shift toward more inclusive, women-centred sports development policies in India.