New Delhi, Nov 18 (NationPress) At the unveiling of ASMITA women’s league social media platforms, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, recognized the members of India’s bronze-winning (under-20) women’s rugby squad on Tuesday. Olympian Manu Bhaker was also in attendance, commending this remarkable initiative.

Raksha Khadse emphasized the necessity for ASMITA to carve out its distinct identity. Since its launch in 2021, ASMITA has reached significant achievements.

A total of 1,886 ASMITA leagues have been conducted in partnership with National Sports Federations and state entities. Over 2.14 lakh women have engaged in various ASMITA leagues throughout India. These leagues cover 32 sports and are hosted in more than 500 districts and 600 cities, including remote villages in Arunachal Pradesh, tribal areas, and border zones.

“This reflects the government’s commitment to spotlight young women. By utilizing social media, we can further enhance awareness for women aspiring to participate in sports,” stated Khadse.

Raksha Khadse honored six players - Dumuni Marndi, Bhumika Shukla, Ujjwala Ghughe, Guriya Kumari, Sandhya Rai, and Amandeep Kaur – from the Indian women’s rugby team. Most members of the national squad that secured a historic bronze at the Asian U-20 Championship in Rajgir, Bihar, earlier this year, emerged from ASMITA Leagues.

“Our aim is to create more avenues for women and nurture talent from the grassroots. The ministry has a structured approach to develop talent, and our women deserve the recognition they’ve earned. We also need to consider all sports and ensure that careers can be built. Take cricket, for instance; they’ve introduced equal pay for both men and women. We must strive to implement similar strategies across all sports,” remarked Khadse.

Attending the event was Manu Bhaker, a renowned shooter and double medallist from the Paris Olympics 2024. The 23-year-old pistol shooter lauded the ASMITA initiative, which began in 2021 and stands as one of the largest women’s leagues in the world from India.

“We women are showcasing our capabilities. In the last two Olympic Games, female athletes have excelled, and if we aim for success in the 2036 Olympics, initiatives like ASMITA and Khelo India are crucial,” said Manu, adding: “Above all, these leagues are transforming perceptions, particularly in rural India where women traditionally shy away from sports. We should do everything possible to support our girls because they can perform just as well as men.”

ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action) is part of Khelo India’s gender-neutral mission to promote women's engagement in sports through leagues and competitions. The Sports Authority of India aids National Sports Federations in organizing Khelo India women’s leagues across various age categories at both zonal and national levels. Initiated in 2021, ASMITA leagues aim not only to enhance women's sports participation but also to provide a platform for identifying new talent throughout India.