The first MP Sports Festival will be hosted in Pune this November, right after Diwali.
The event, inspired by PM Narendra Modi’s “Fit Youth for Viksit Bharat” vision, will feature 33 sports with participation from youth, seniors, and differently-abled players.
Several Olympians, Arjuna awardees, and national players are part of the organising committee.
Pune, 30 August 2025: Pune is set to host the first-ever MP Sports Festival this November, right after Diwali. The event, announced on National Sports Day, has been conceived under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a “Fit Youth for Viksit Bharat”.
The festival aims to strengthen sports culture across India while offering opportunities for all sections of society, including senior citizens and differently-abled athletes, to showcase their talent. Competitions will be held in 33 sports disciplines, covering both Indian and international games. Events like chess and carrom will be organised for seniors, while basketball and swimming will be open for differently-abled participants.
Prominent figures from the sporting world are backing the initiative. The coordination team includes Chhatrapati Awardee Manoj Erande, Olympian and Arjuna Awardee Manoj Pingale, former Indian hockey captain and Arjuna Awardee Rekha Bhide, Arjuna Awardee kabaddi player Shantaram Jadhav, and former cricketer Kedar Jadhav, among others.
The organising committee also features top names such as shooting star and Khel Ratna winner Anjali Bhagwat, Arjuna Awardee kabaddi player Surekha Dravid, and chess Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte, along with several other national and international athletes from Pune.
Over the years, the government has expanded its focus on sports development through initiatives like Khelo India and increased funding for grassroots infrastructure. The MP Sports Festival, being held in Pune, is expected to identify promising young talent while promoting PM Modi’s long-standing vision of a healthier, fitter India.