The Khel Mahakumbh in Uttarakhand is set to start on October 4, 2024, with participants from all districts across the state. Around 350,000 players aged between 14 to 23 years will take part in this event. The games will begin with 662 Nyaya Panchayat-level competitions, followed by block, district, and state-level competitions. This initiative aims to identify talented athletes from the grassroots level and prepare them for national and international competitions.
The event will offer ₹1 lakh cash prizes for athletes who break national records. Special Secretary for Sports Amit Sinha explained that the Khel Mahakumbh is an essential project for the sports department, intended to identify players with potential and give them the opportunity to compete in the 9th National Games. The aim is to nurture talent from across Uttarakhand and help them excel at higher levels.
Starting in Almora on October 4, the Nyaya Panchayat-level competitions will be completed by the end of October. Competitions at the block, district, and state levels will follow. The state-level events will be held in Dehradun from December 15, where players from various districts will participate. Gold medal-winning districts will be honored with the Chief Minister’s Trophy.
Registrations are now open for athletes, with both online and offline options available through local sports grounds and government offices. The Khel Mahakumbh will conclude on January 31, 2025.
Online Registration Link – Uttarakhand Khel Mahakumbh 2024 – Click Here
Organized by the youth welfare department, the provincial defense corps, and the education department, this event will include competitions for boys and girls in the Under-14 to Under-23 age groups. Special competitions for divyang players (aged 14 to 23) will also be held to ensure inclusivity.
At each level—village, block, district, and state—the top three athletes will receive cash prizes directly in their bank accounts. The overall championship will award five athletes with gold medals, three with silver, and two with bronze. Team events will see five teams earning gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.
A wide variety of sports will be featured, including athletics, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, football, badminton, judo, boxing, table tennis, taekwondo, karate, basketball, yoga, handball, malkhamb, hockey, and rooster snatch. For divyang players, the games will include categories like mute and deaf events, lower limb, spinal, upper limb, and wheelchair sports.
The schedule for Khel Mahakumbh includes:
- Nyaya Panchayat Level: October 4 – October 31, 2024 (662 competitions)
- Block Level: October 25 – November 15, 2024 (95 competitions)
- District Level: November 16 – December 10, 2024 (13 competitions)
- State Level: December 15, 2024 – January 31, 2025 (22 groups)
Preparations are underway, and according to Ajay Agarwal, Additional Director of the Sports Department in Dehradun, the registration process will continue throughout the competition period. The Khel Mahakumbh will kick off from Almora district.
