Union Minister Raksha Nikhil Highlights Asmita Programs Role in Promoting Womens Sports

By: WE staff | Thursday, 20 March 2025

• Raksha Nikhil Khadse points to the Asmita program’s contribution towards women's sports
• The program falls under the Khelo India scheme to promote female sportspersons
• She underscored the necessity of social awareness in order to increase women in sports

Union Minister of State for Sport, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, underlined the importance of the Asmita programme in facilitating women's participation in sports. As part of the Khelo India programme, the programme arranges leagues and tournaments across sports disciplines to empower women players. Raksha also stressed the need to increase social awareness in addition to government initiatives to get more women involved in sports.

Speaking to women journalists at the Indian Women's Press Corps (IWPC), Raksha reaffirmed the seriousness of the government towards empowering women in sports, observing that raising awareness among people is as important to help this cause.

"The Asmita program wants more women in sports," she stated. "Though there are efforts being made, it's important to make more people aware and motivate girls and women to take up the sport." As part of the Khelo India program, Asmita gives women players the exposure of participating in competitions and seeks to enhance the number of women at overseas competitions such as the Paris Olympics. Raksha also visited a table tennis prize distribution function for journalists at the IWPC.

Women's Sports has been a game changer in how sports have been spread throughout the nation, and the Asmita programme brings a great initiative by helping individuals to unlock the dividends of sports through its extensive influence. This encompasses comprehensive development of children and youth, and of women in particular, along with community development, social integration, gender equality, healthy life styles, national pride, and economic opportunities related to sport.

The increasing involvement of female players in sports activities assists in breaking the gender stereotypes. Furthermore, women involved in sports and playing in National Leagues not only enhance their body and mind well-being but also get empowered, overcome prejudices, and develop leadership qualities.