Summer Camp 2026 Launched in Rajasthan; 609 Young Athletes to Receive Advanced Training

Jaipur, May 30: The grand inauguration of Summer Camp 2026, organized under the Alwar MP Sports Festival 2025-26, was held at RPS International School in Behror, Kotputli-Behror district. The event was inaugurated in the presence of Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Alwar MP Bhupender Yadav, Rajasthan Sports Minister Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Minister of State for Forest and Environment Sanjay Sharma, and Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt.

Addressing the gathering, Bhupender Yadav emphasized that sports are not merely a medium of competition but a powerful tool for personality development, discipline, leadership, and nation-building. He said initiatives such as the MP Sports Festival and Summer Camp are aimed at identifying young talent and providing them with opportunities to excel at national and international levels.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “Fit India” and “Khelo India,” Yadav noted that sports culture has received a significant boost across the country. He encouraged young athletes to remain mentally strong, stay committed to their goals, and pursue success with determination and discipline. He reiterated that both the Central and State Governments are continuously working to improve sports infrastructure and provide better facilities for athletes.

Highlighting the achievements of the Alwar MP Sports Festival, Yadav said the initiative has provided a platform to thousands of talented youth over the past two years. Infrastructure projects such as hockey astroturfs, wrestling stadiums, and plans for village-level kabaddi stadiums and tracks are helping strengthen grassroots sports development in the region.

He also spoke about educational initiatives, revealing that the number of e-libraries in the Alwar parliamentary constituency has increased from the originally planned 101 to 132, benefiting students in rural areas. He announced plans to provide two years of free coaching to 100 Class 10 students selected from government schools to support their academic growth.

Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore praised Bhupender Yadav’s efforts in promoting education, sports, women’s safety, and cooperative development in the region. He said the MP Sports Festival has successfully uncovered hidden talent among rural youth and that access to international-level coaches and sports facilities will help athletes compete on national and global stages. Sharing his own Olympic experiences, Rathore encouraged participants to learn from setbacks and continue striving for excellence.

Minister of State Sanjay Sharma described the MP Sports Festival as an important platform for nurturing local talent and noted the growing enthusiasm among young people for sports. Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt said the Summer Camp is not only a training programme but also a significant step toward holistic athlete development, helping prepare future national and international champions.

The Alwar MP Sports Festival has witnessed remarkable growth. Participation has risen from approximately 18,000 athletes in 2024 to more than 40,000 in 2025. The number of sports disciplines has expanded from 11 to 14, with badminton, boxing, and yoga being added this year.

A total of 609 outstanding athletes have been selected for Summer Camp 2026, up from 350 participants in the inaugural camp last year. Coaches from nine states, including Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, will provide specialized training across 14 sports disciplines.

Apart from sports coaching, participants will receive balanced nutrition, physiotherapy support, and technical training. Special sessions on personality development, communication skills, self-defense, menstrual hygiene, gender sensitivity, and leadership will also be conducted. Athletes will additionally be introduced to military discipline through visits to the CISF campus in Behror.

Comprehensive arrangements, including round-the-clock security, CCTV surveillance, dedicated physiotherapists, and modern facilities, have been made to ensure a safe and productive environment for all participants.

During the event, distinguished athletes including Asian Beach Games silver medallist Jai Bhagwan, national wheelchair cricketer Zuber Khan, and para-athlete Sunil Kumar Sahu were honoured for their achievements, inspiring young participants to pursue excellence in sports.