CM Smt. Rekha Gupta inaugurates the 47th National Junior Boys Handball Championship

‘No shortage of facilities; focus on enhancing the pride of the Tricolour,’ says CM Smt. Rekha Gupta

Delhi Government taking multiple steps to promote sports; international medal winners being awarded prizes worth crores

New Delhi, January 2026 : The Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Rekha Gupta, today inaugurated the 47th National Junior Boys Handball Championship at a Government School in Pitampura. Addressing young players from across the country, the Chief Minister encouraged them to pursue excellence in sports and assured full support from the Delhi Government.

Interacting with the athletes, the Chief Minister said that their success is the success of the nation and urged them to play with dedication and bring glory to India at the global level. She announced a cash award of ₹1 lakh for the winning team and conveyed her best wishes to all participants for a bright sporting future.

The event was attended by the President of the Handball Federation of India, Shri Mahesh Kumar, local municipal councillor Shri Amit Nagpal, and other dignitaries.

Expressing happiness at the enthusiasm and discipline displayed by the young players, the Chief Minister said that the youth are the real strength of the nation and their commitment to sports reflects a deep connection with the country’s values. She highlighted that since the formation of the present government, several initiatives have been undertaken to promote sports in Delhi. The sports ecosystem in the city has been revitalised, players’ allowances have been enhanced, and financial assistance is being provided from the school level onwards to nurture sporting talent at an early stage.

The Chief Minister informed that the allowance for all Delhi players competing at the state level has been increased, enabling them to continue their training without financial constraints. She further stated that the prize money for athletes winning medals at international competitions such as the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games has also been enhanced. Under the revised policy, international gold medal winners are awarded ₹7 crore, silver medal winners ₹5 crore, and bronze medal winners ₹3 crore. She reiterated the Delhi Government’s firm commitment to encouraging sports and supporting athletes.

Reference to the Prime Minister’s vision and Sachin’s mantra

The Chief Minister said that a new era of sports is emerging in Delhi and across the country. With nearly 60 per cent of India’s population being young, India stands as one of the world’s most vibrant youth nations. She emphasised that sports play a crucial role not only in physical development but also in building discipline, strategy, patience and teamwork.

Quoting legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, she said, “Enjoy your game and chase your dreams, because dreams do come true.” Supporting the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, she stated that India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympic Games will be realised through the achievements of the country’s young athletes. The Chief Minister also appreciated the efforts of the Handball Federation of India and the Delhi Handball Association for organising the championship.

Team Maverick.