CM inaugurates Delhi Games, promises sports renaissance

In a vibrant display of energy and ambition, the Delhi Games 2025 were officially inaugurated by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the Talkatora Stadium here on Tuesday. The grand opening ceremony marked a major push by the Delhi Government to promote a culture of sportsmanship and physical excellence among the city’s youth.

The event was attended by Cabinet Minister Ashish Sood, MP Yogendra Chandolia, Delhi Olympics Association president Kuldeep Vats, vice-president Sanjeev Sharma and other prominent dignitaries.

With over 12,000 athletes set to compete across 40 disciplines, the Delhi Games 2025 is poised to become the largest multi-sport event ever held in the Capital.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasised the transformative potential of the Games. “Delhi Games 2025 is not just a sporting event, it’s a vision for a new Delhi — one defined by education, culture and athletic achievement,” she said.

Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of an empowered and active India, she said: “Inspired by that vision, our government is committed to building world-class sports infrastructure and supporting our athletes at every level.”

In a significant policy announcement, the Chief Minister said the Delhi Government had doubled the sports budget and quadrupled the athlete reward fund in comparison to the previous regime.

“No talented athlete in Delhi will be left behind due to lack of resources. Every youth must receive the support and dignity they deserve,” CM Gupta declared.

Criticising the neglect of sports during the tenure of previous administrations, she remarked, “Earlier, governments neglected both education and sports forcing athletes to register with other states for better support. That will no longer be the case. From now on, Delhi’s athletes will be trained, recognised and celebrated here at home.”

The Chief Minister also outlined a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen the city’s sports ecosystem. She announced the development of modern stadiums, state-of-the-art training centres and tech-enabled sports infrastructure. The government will also expand coaching through the public-private partnership (PPP) model in government schools, making quality training more accessible to young athletes.

“Sports is now a respectable and rewarding career path. We want our youth to embrace it not only to stay fit but to gain life skills like resilience, teamwork and leadership,” Gupta said.

Encouraging the youth of Delhi to participate wholeheartedly, she said, “Delhi Games 2025 is your stage. Let this be the beginning of your journey to national and international success.”