The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organised a nationwide athletics league under the ASMITA initiative on International Women’s Day, giving women and girls across India a platform to participate in competitive sports.
The athletics league was organised across the country on March 8 to mark International Women’s Day. The initiative was aimed at encouraging greater participation of women in sports and creating opportunities for female athletes at the grassroots level.
The programme focused on athletics events including the 100-metre, 200-metre and 400-metre races. Competitions were held in three age categories – Under-13, 13 to 18 years and 18 years and above.
What Is ASMITA Athletics League?
ASMITA stands for Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action. The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen women’s participation in sports through regular leagues and competitions.
The programme comes under the broader Khelo India mission and aims to identify and encourage sporting talent among women and girls, particularly at the grassroots level.
According to the Sports Ministry, the initiative provides athletes with a competitive environment where they can gain experience and develop their sporting abilities.
2.5 Lakh Women Expected To Participate
The nationwide athletics programme was planned at around 250 locations across 30 states and Union Territories.
According to details shared by Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, around 2.5 lakh women were expected to participate in the nationwide initiative.
Punjab was among the states included in the programme, with competitions planned across 12 districts. More than 4,000 women were expected to participate in the border state.
The Union Territory of Chandigarh also organised athletics competitions under the initiative.
Focus On Grassroots Sports
The ASMITA league is designed to take organised sporting competitions beyond major cities and established sporting centres.
By conducting events across districts and cities, the initiative seeks to provide more girls and women with access to competitive sports.
The programme also supports the government’s wider effort to build a stronger sporting culture in India and encourage women to take up sports from an early age.
The three age categories allow younger participants as well as adult athletes to compete in events suited to their age groups.
ASMITA’s Growing Reach
The ASMITA initiative has expanded significantly since its launch in 2021.
More than 2,600 leagues have been conducted across 34 sports disciplines, covering over 550 districts and 700 cities across the country.
The programme is aimed at making sporting opportunities more accessible to women and encouraging greater participation through leagues and competitions.
The latest athletics league therefore adds another nationwide push to the effort to strengthen women’s presence in Indian sports.
By bringing competitions to multiple locations on a single occasion, the Sports Ministry hopes to create greater visibility for female athletes while helping identify talent that could progress to higher levels of competition.
The initiative also sends a broader message on International Women’s Day: women’s participation in sport is not limited to elite competitions but begins with access, opportunity and encouragement at the grassroots level.
