ASMITA Women's League Launch: Raksha Khadse Felicitates U-20 Rugby Heroes, Manu Bhaker Praises Initiative
Image via IANS
New Delhi, Nov 19 (The Deccan Times): At the launch of the ASMITA Women’s League social media platforms, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse felicitated six members of India’s bronze-medal-winning U-20 women’s rugby team on Tuesday. Olympian Manu Bhaker, who attended the event, lauded ASMITA’s growing impact on women’s sports in India.
ASMITA marks major milestones since 2021
Khadse said ASMITA has now developed its own identity as a nationwide women’s sporting movement. Since its introduction under Khelo India in 2021, ASMITA has grown rapidly across the country.
- 1,886 ASMITA leagues conducted
- 2.14 lakh+ women participants
- 32 sports disciplines
- Events held in 500+ districts and 600+ cities
- Activities expanded to remote villages, tribal belts, and border regions
“This shows the government’s intention to bring young women into the spotlight. Social media will help us reach even more girls who want to play sports,” Khadse said.
Rugby stars from ASMITA honoured
Raksha Khadse honoured six U-20 rugby players:
Dumuni Marndi, Bhumika Shukla, Ujjwala Ghughe, Guriya Kumari, Sandhya Rai, and Amandeep Kaur.
Most of the squad that secured a historic bronze medal at the Asian U-20 Championship in Rajgir, Bihar, earlier this year, came through the ASMITA leagues.
Khadse emphasised the importance of nurturing young athletes.
“We want to create more opportunities for women and build from the grassroots. Women need the attention they deserve. Look at cricket — equal pay is now a reality. We have to aim for the same across all sports.”
Manu Bhaker: “Leagues like ASMITA are changing mindsets”
Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, who won two medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, said initiatives like ASMITA and Khelo India are transforming women’s participation in sports, especially in rural areas.
“Women have shown what they are capable of. If India must perform well at the 2036 Olympics, programmes like ASMITA are essential,” she said.
“These leagues are changing mindsets, especially where women don’t naturally enter sports. We should cheer for our girls — they can achieve as much as men.”
About ASMITA
ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestones by Inspiring Women Through Action) is part of Khelo India’s gender-neutral initiative to increase women's participation in competitive sports. Supported by the Sports Authority of India, the league aims to:
- Promote women’s sports
- Provide competitive exposure
- Identify new talent at zonal and national levels
Launched in 2021, ASMITA has become one of the largest women’s grassroots sports leagues in the world.
