In News:

The Khelo India ASMITA Football League 2025-26 was inaugurated in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, by the Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Raksha Khadse. The initiative is a key step in promoting gender-inclusive sports participation and empowering women athletes at the grassroots level.

About ASMITA

• Full form: Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action (ASMITA).
• Launched: 2021, under Khelo India.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• Support: Sports Authority of India (SAI), National Sports Federations, AIFF, WIFA, and other stakeholders.
• Component of: Khelo Bharat Niti – promoting sports as a tool for nation-building and empowerment.

Objectives

• Affirmative action to increase women’s participation in sports.
• Provide grassroots platforms for talent discovery, especially among tribal and minority communities.
• Create opportunities for young girls, addressing historical imbalances in sports.
• Help women challenge stereotypes and emerge as role models.

Key Features

• Inclusive Participation: From first-time players to hidden talent, ensuring wide outreach.
• Talent Identification: Leagues used as scouting grounds for future athletes.
• Scale: In FY 2025-26, 852 leagues are planned across 15 sports disciplines, targeting 70,000+ women athletes in all States/UTs.
• Age Focus: Leagues cover multiple categories, including U-13 and above.
• Institutional Backing: Supported by SAI and National Sports Federations to ensure professional management.

Significance

• Promotes women’s empowerment through sports.
• Strengthens grassroots sports ecosystem.
• Contributes to India’s vision of becoming a global sporting powerhouse with equal female participation.
• Aligns with the government’s philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”