Sports Minister Mandaviya Inaugurates ASMITA Weightlifting League, Calls Chanu ‘Role Model’

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the 2025 season of the ASMITA League in Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh, with the weightlifting league marking the start of this year’s competitions. The two-day event features 42 girls competing across eight weight categories in the open category.

For 2025–26, 852 ASMITA leagues are planned across 15 sports disciplines, covering various states and Union Territories, with participation expected from over 70,000 female athletes. This is a jump from last season’s 550 leagues across 27 disciplines, which saw 53,101 athletes take part.

Speaking at the event, Mandaviya said the aim is to provide opportunities at all levels and identify talent early. “There’s a lot of potential in these young athletes. I hope we’ll see more champions emerging from events like these,” he said.

Olympic silver medallist Mirabai Chanu attended the inauguration, along with Minister of State for Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, who encouraged the participants and said ASMITA is a key part of the government’s efforts to support women in sports.

“Women have shown they can excel in every sport. The determination in these young athletes is something that must be supported,” said Khadse.

Mandaviya also noted that the sports budget has grown significantly over the past decade and underlined efforts to promote school-level sports through the Khelo Bharat policy, which is linked with the National Education Policy. “We’re trying to ensure that young athletes across the country have a clear path to progress,” he said.

Mirabai Chanu said the ASMITA Leagues, started in 2021, have helped provide structure and clarity for young women athletes. “We didn’t have these kinds of opportunities when we started. ASMITA is helping young girls see a way forward in sports,” she said.