By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
Education Minister Ashish Sood inaugurates three-phase event; Delhi steps up focus on sports infrastructure, training and incentives for young talent
NEW DELHI: Delhi has launched the 70th National School Games 2026–27, with more than 14,000 players and officials expected to participate in 14 sporting disciplines across a three-phase schedule extending into February next year.
Education and Sports Minister Ashish Sood inaugurated the event at Thyagaraj Stadium on Friday, in the presence of senior officials, eminent sportspersons and representatives from states and Union Territories.
The Games are being organised under the aegis of the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), with the Directorate of Education’s Sports Branch, Government of Delhi, serving as the host.
The first phase is scheduled from October 22 to 28, 2026, followed by the second phase from October 30 to November 5. The third and final phase will take place from January 28 to February 3, 2027.
Nurturing India’s next generation of athletes
Addressing the gathering, Sood said the National School Games were not merely a competition but an important platform for developing the country’s future sporting ecosystem.
He said Delhi aimed to strengthen its sports culture and provide young athletes with opportunities to showcase their abilities and represent the country at national and international competitions.
Referring to initiatives such as Khelo India and Fit India, the minister said sports and fitness were increasingly being recognised as integral to everyday life and as potential career pathways for young people.
He noted that improved training, modern infrastructure and financial support had helped change the traditional perception that pursuing sports could undermine academic or professional prospects.
Arrangements in place for participating teams
The Delhi government has arranged playing facilities, track-and-field infrastructure, sports equipment, security, medical assistance and technical officials at the venues. Accommodation, meals, local transportation and reception facilities have also been organised for teams travelling from different parts of the country, according to the press release.
Sood said the government was seeking strong performances from Delhi’s athletes across all 14 disciplines while ensuring that participants had access to the facilities needed to compete effectively.
He added that national-level competitions allow young athletes to learn from one another, raise their performance standards and develop confidence, discipline and sportsmanship.
Olympic medal rewards, new sports complex in pipeline
The minister said the government was expanding financial incentives for athletes under its new sports policy. The policy provides for prize money of ₹7 crore for Olympic gold medallists, ₹5 crore for silver medallists and ₹3 crore for bronze medallists. Incentives have also been provided for achievements at the Asian Games and other international competitions.
Highlighting efforts to widen participation in sports, Sood cited the Khelo Mahakumbh held last year. The month-long event was organised across 17 stadiums and sports complexes and attracted registrations from more than 16,000 athletes.
The government is also developing a sports complex in Pitampura at an estimated cost of ₹100 crore. Meanwhile, the sports grant for colleges in Delhi has been increased fivefold, from ₹1 lakh to ₹5 lakh. Financial assistance is also being pursued for eligible athletes preparing for state- and national-level competitions.
Sportsmanship beyond the podium
Urging the young participants to approach the competition with confidence, Sood said sporting success should not be measured by medals alone. Discipline, friendship, perseverance and character development, he said, were equally important outcomes of participation.
He encouraged the athletes to continue working hard, adding that qualifying for a national-level competition was itself a significant achievement.
The hosting of the 70th National School Games underscores Delhi’s role in staging major sporting events. Thyagaraj Stadium, the venue for Friday’s inauguration, also hosted the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships 2026.
