Ekamra Sports Literature Festival Season 7 Set for Record-Breaking action
New Delhi: The Ekamra Sports Literature Festival Season 7 (ESLF), Asia’s largest celebration of sports writing and the world’s biggest sports literature gathering, is gearing up for its most ambitious edition yet. Scheduled for November 22, 2025, at the historic Bikaner House in New Delhi, Season 7 promises an unprecedented confluence of global sporting icons, acclaimed authors, leading journalists, and emerging Indian athletes—all united in their love for the written word and the spirit of sport.
A Festival Where Sports and Stories Converge
Launched in 2018, the Ekamra Sports Literature Festival has evolved from a regional experiment seeing the light of day in Bhubaneswar into a full-fledged national movement. In just seven editions, it has hosted over 500 speakers, streamed more than 22 million online views, and shaped a narrative space where stadium moments become enduring stories.
The festival’s tagline—“Sports is best read”—captures its mission: to celebrate sport’s emotional, cultural, and literary depth. Past seasons have hosted legends like Ben Johnson, Stephanie Rice, Ric Charlesworth, Harbhajan Singh, and Pat Nevin, establishing Ekamra as a premiere platform for nuanced dialogues on victories, defeats, integrity, and identity.
A Journey from Bhubaneswar to the National Capital
Season 1 debuted in 2018 alongside the Men’s Hockey World Cup, drawing packed halls of over 1,000 spectators per day. From its humble origins at the Mayfair Convention Centre, the festival expanded its sessions, speakers, and thematic range year after year.
By 2024, its relocation to Delhi’s IGNCA marked its arrival on the national stage, boasting 40 sessions and 160 speakers, including global names like Ezekiel Kemboi and Rafael Nadal biographer Christopher Clarey.
The 2025 edition continues that momentum, moving to Bikaner House—an iconic cultural landmark—promising the festival’s most intense, immersive, and international lineup yet.
Javier Sotomayor Headlines a Stellar Lineup
The marquee attraction this year is Cuban high jump legend Javier Sotomayor, the only athlete in history to soar beyond the mythical 8-feet barrier. Holder of the 2.45m world record since 1993, Sotomayor will headline a high-powered panel with India’s national record holder Tejaswin Shankar, decoding the physics, psychology, and poetry of leaping into the impossible.
Sotomayor, speaking ahead of the festival, expressed admiration for India’s growing athletics prowess, especially post Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic triumph. He emphasized that Ekamra offers a rare space for unfiltered conversations about excellence and endurance.
Global Voices Bring Depth Beyond Borders
In keeping with its expanding international footprint, Season 7 features celebrated global figures:
- Mohammed Dwedar, the Palestinian middle-distance runner fresh from the Tokyo World Championships, will discuss the challenges and resilience of training across geopolitical divides.
- Franco Nugnes, Italian sports author, will present his investigative work Senna: The Truth, revisiting the tragedy that changed Formula 1 forever.
- Jarrod Kimber, cricket writer and filmmaker, will unpack The Art of Batting, exploring the evolution of technique and temperament across eras.
These voices bring layers of geopolitics, identity, and artistry into the festival’s narrative space.
Spotlight on India’s Rising Stars
Season 7 will also amplify the stories of India’s next generation of sporting talent. Young athletes Shourya Ambure (hurdles), Poorva Sawant (triple jump), and Bushra Khan (middle and long-distance running) will share their journeys, spotlighting the grit and grind required to transition from grassroots promise to elite reality.
Their sessions will address training challenges, digital-age pressures, and the evolving ecosystem of Indian athletics.
Para Excellence: Deepa Malik Joins the Stage
A special highlight is the participation of Deepa Malik, India’s first female Paralympic medallist and Padma Shri awardee. She will take the stage to discuss her autobiography Bring It On, revealing the emotional and physical battles behind her groundbreaking achievements. Her presence reinforces the festival’s commitment to inclusivity and diverse sporting narratives.
Sharper Conversations, Wider Horizons
Festival director and renowned sports author Sundeep Misra notes that Ekamra’s strength lies in its candor. “Each year, the conversations get sharper, and the range gets wider,” he says. “If we can bring a little more clarity and a little less noise to how we talk about sport, we’re doing our job.”
This ethos shapes panels that go beyond achievements—touching upon athlete mental health, global sporting policies, digital storytelling, and the changing face of fan engagement.
India’s Only Sports Book Awards Return Bigger
Once again, ESLF will host India’s only dedicated Sports Book Awards, honouring excellence across six categories:
- Sports Book of the Year
- Biography of the Year
- Autobiography of the Year
- Cricket Book of the Year
- Special Jury Award
- Publisher of the Year
These awards celebrate authors who unearth sport’s untold stories, much like previous winners, including The Day I Became a Runner and acclaimed Nadal biographies.
A Single-Day Sporting Marathon
With stellar lineup of reputed speakers packed into a single day, Season 7 is designed like a sporting tournament—intense, energetic, and unforgettable. The lawns and halls of Bikaner House will transform into literary arenas where champions, chroniclers, and curious minds exchange ideas powered by passion.
Entry is free, though organizers encourage pre-registration via QR code due to overwhelming interest.
A Leap Into the Future
From Bhubaneswar’s intimate beginnings to Delhi’s global stage, the Ekamra Sports Literature Festival has carved a unique space where athleticism meets artistry. As November 22 approaches, anticipation is high for yet another leap—one that promises new voices, new truths, and new ways of understanding the stories behind sport.
The Ekamra Sports Literature Festival 2025 will be held on November 22 at Bikaner House, New Delhi, from 10:30 a.m. onwards.
