Date: 2026-06-23Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
“Keralam Occupies a Special Place on India’s Sporting Map”: Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya at 2026 Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games Fun Run in Thiruvananthapuram
**Executive Summary**
On June 23, 2026, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the first-ever 2026 Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games Fun Run in Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam. Part of the “Asian Games for All” initiative, the event saw over 40,000 participants and highlighted India’s goal to become a top 10 sporting nation by 2036 and top 5 by 2047. Key upcoming milestones include hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and a bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Event Overview and Participation**
* More than 40,000 people, including students, athletes, NCC cadets, and NSS volunteers, participated in the historic Fun Run at University Stadium.
* The event featured diverse activities such as an Indian Army Band performance, Zumba sessions, bodybuilding showcases, and yoga and gymnastics demonstrations.
* A grand rally followed the run, involving over a thousand youth using roller skates, electric scooters, and motorcycles.
**Athlete Development in Keralam**
* Keralam currently has 115 athletes in the Khelo India programme, 69 of whom are women.
* 17 athletes from the state are receiving world-class training under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
* The Union Minister emphasized Keralam’s "special place" on the sporting map and its critical role in India’s projected podium finishes at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
**National Sporting Targets and Future Hosting**
* **2030:** India has secured the hosting rights for the Commonwealth Games.
* **2036:** The nation has bid to host the Olympic Games and aims to be among the top 10 sporting nations.
* **2047:** India targets a position among the top 5 sporting nations to coincide with its centenary of independence.
**Impact Analysis**
**Athletes (specifically from Keralam)**
**Impact**
Athletes are benefiting from structured development programs like Khelo India and TOPS, providing them with the training necessary for international competition.
**Action Required**
Focus on training and performance to help India achieve record-setting results and podium finishes at the 2026 Asian Games.
**Indian Olympic Association and Keralam Olympic Association**
**Impact**
These bodies are recognized as key stakeholders in organizing large-scale community engagement events and promoting the Olympic Movement.
**Action Required**
Continue coordinating with the Ministry to manage athlete development schemes and prepare for upcoming international hosting responsibilities.
**Educational Institutions and Youth**
**Impact**
Students and youth are being integrated into a national culture of fitness, sportsmanship, and community participation.
**Action Required**
Maintain active engagement in sports promotion activities and youth-centric initiatives to support the country's long-term sporting aspirations.
**Government Departments (Keralam Police, Excise, Armed Forces)**
**Impact**
These departments are essential contributors to the successful execution of large-scale public sporting events and rallies.
**Action Required**
Provide continued logistical and security support for future national and international sporting events hosted in the region.
Key Entities Referenced
2026 Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games Fun Run: A landmark international sporting event held in India under the Olympic Council of Asia’s “Asian Games for All” initiative to promote the upcoming 2026 Asian Games.
Khelo India Programme: A national initiative by the Government of India aimed at grassroots level sports development, providing training to emerging athletes to become future champions.
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): A flagship program of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports designed to provide world-class training and support to India’s elite athletes for high-performance outcomes.
Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam: The central host location for the inaugural Asian Games Fun Run, recognized for its significant sporting culture and contribution to national athlete development.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
“Keralam Occupies a Special Place on India’s
Sporting Map”: Union Minister of Youth Affairs &
Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya at 2026 Aichi–
Nagoya Asian Games Fun Run in
Thiruvananthapuram
“Today, 115 Athletes from Keralam Are Part of the Khelo India
Programme, Training to Become India’s Future Champions”:
Dr. Mandaviya Flags Off the Historic Asian Games Fun Run
“PM Modi Has Set the Target to Make India One of the Top 10
Sporting Nations by 2036 and Among the Top 5 by 2047”:
Union Minister Dr. Mandaviya
“Athletes from Keralam Will Have a Major Role to Play in
India’s Performance and Podium Finishes at the Asian Games
2026”: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Over 40,000 Participants Create History as India Hosts First-
Ever 2026 Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games Fun Run in
Thiruvananthapuram
प्रव तथ: 23 JUN 2026 6:02PM by PIB Delhi
Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam, June 23: More than 40,000 participants created history today as India
hosted the first-ever 2026 Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games Fun Run under the Olympic Council of Asia’s
“Asian Games for All” initiative in Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam.
Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the historic event at the
University Stadium in the presence of Hon’ble Governor of Keralam Shri Rajendra Viswanath Arlekar,
President of the Indian Olympic Association Smt. P. T. Usha, Hon’ble Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs,
Keralam, Shri O. J. Janeesh Kumar and other distinguished guests.Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya congratulated the Indian Olympic Association, Keralam
Olympic Association and all stakeholders involved in organising the event.
Praising the State’s sporting culture and public participation, he remarked, “Keralam occupies a special
place on India’s sporting map. Its passion for sports is visible not only in its champions but also in its
people.”
Highlighting the impact of athlete development programmes in the State, the Minister said, “Today, 115
athletes from Keralam, including 69 women athletes, are part of the Khelo India programme, training to
become India’s future champions. Further, 17 athletes from Keralam are part of the Target Olympic
Podium Scheme (TOPS), receiving world-class training.”
The Fun Run witnessed enthusiastic participation from educational institutions, sports associations and
citizens from across Keralam.
The event also featured performances by the Indian Army Band, Zumba sessions, a bodybuilding
showcase and demonstration events by yoga and gymnastics athletes.
Speaking about India's sporting aspirations, Dr. Mandaviya said, “India has got the hosting rights of the
Commonwealth Games in 2030. We have also bid for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games in India. PM
Modi has set the target to make India one of the top 10 sporting nations of the world by 2036 and among
the top 5 by 2047, when we celebrate 100 years of our independence.”Expressing confidence in India's performance at the upcoming Asian Games, the Minister stated, “I am
confident that in the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, we will set a new record. I am equally confident that
athletes from Keralam will have a major role to play in the country’s performance and podium finishes.”
Following the Fun Run, a grand rally featuring roller skaters, electric scooters and Bullet motorcycles was
organised with the participation of more than a thousand children and youth.
The celebrations concluded with a colourful closing ceremony at the Central Stadium.
The landmark event transformed the capital city into a vibrant celebration of sportsmanship, fitness, youth
engagement and community participation, bringing together students, athletes, coaches, NCC cadets, NSS
volunteers, personnel from the armed forces, Keralam Police, the Excise Department and members of the
public.
The successful conduct of the 2026 Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games Fun Run reaffirmed Keralam’s position
as a leading sporting State and reflected the collective commitment of governments, sports organisations,
educational institutions and citizens towards promoting sports, youth engagement and the values of the
Olympic Movement.
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Ayushman Kumar(रलीज़ आईडी: 2277128) आगंतुक पटल : 292
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