Did Mansukh Mandaviya Launch the Weightlifting League with Mirabai Chanu as a Role Model?

New Delhi, July 8 (NationPress) The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, officially launched the 2025 season of the ASMITA League in Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday. The 2025 season commenced with the weightlifting league, featuring 42 girls competing in eight different weight categories during the two-day event held in the Open category.

For the financial year 2025-26, plans include 852 leagues spanning 15 sports disciplines, engaging over 70,000 female athletes across various states and Union Territories. In the previous season, 550 leagues across 27 sports disciplines allowed 53,101 female athletes to participate.

“Our mission is to create opportunities at every level, identify talent, and nurture it. I see a lot of passion in the eyes of these young athletes gathered here in Modinagar. I am confident we will discover another Mirabai Chanu,” stated Mandaviya.

Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu was among the distinguished guests at the ASMITA weightlifting league inauguration. Also present was the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse, who motivated the participants.

“ASMITA is a crucial component of our strong sports program. Women have proven their capability to excel in sports, with limitless potential. The determination displayed by these kids deserves to be nurtured,” remarked Raksha Khadse.

“Mirabai Chanu serves as an unrivaled role model. Rising from a remote village in Manipur to achieve excellence at the highest levels, she has set a benchmark for all women weightlifters. Her presence should inspire the young girls participating in weightlifting,” Dr. Mandaviya added.

He further emphasized the government's “360 degrees” commitment to sports, highlighting a fourfold increase in the sports budget over the past decade.

“We aim to reach every corner of India, informing aspiring athletes that pathways for success are now available. Our Khelo Bharat Niti (sports policy) has been structured accordingly, in collaboration with the National Education Policy, to bolster school sports. These initiatives will be evident in the Khelo India calendar we have developed. Opportunities will be abundant,” he mentioned.

Olympian Mirabai expressed that the ASMITA Leagues, initiated in 2021, have been immensely beneficial for women in sports. “The tiered structure is well-designed, providing everyone with a clear vision of how to ascend to the highest levels. We did not have such opportunities, making ASMITA a blessing for women aspiring to excel in sports,” said Mirabai.