Lucknow: Defence Minister and Member of Parliament from Lucknow, Rajnath Singh, inaugurated the Sansad Khel Mahakumbh at the K.D. Singh Babu Stadium. The grand sporting event witnessed participation from a wide range of athletes, including traditional Indian sport Mallakhambh performers. The event began with Singh taking a ceremonial open-jeep tour of the stadium, greeting enthusiastic participants and students.
Prominent dignitaries in attendance included Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Rajya Sabha MPs Dr. Dinesh Sharma, Sanjay Seth, and Brijlal, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, and several members of the legislative council and assembly such as Dr. Mahendra Singh, Mukesh Sharma, Pawan Singh Chauhan, and Yogesh Shukla among others. Senior officials including Divisional Commissioner Roshan Jacob, District Magistrate Vishak G, Director of Sports R.P. Singh, police officials, sports veterans, and thousands of young athletes were also present.
Speaking at the inauguration, Singh said that under the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sports tournaments across parliamentary constituencies are not just events but a means to encourage youth participation and promote societal development. He emphasized that a new sporting culture has emerged in India, thanks to sports-friendly policies of both central and state governments.
“Gone are the days when sports were seen as secondary. Today, we say – ‘If you study, write, and play, you’ll become a bigger Nawab!’ Sports teach discipline, teamwork, and the determination to win — values essential for national progress,” said Singh.
Remembering Sporting Legends
Rajnath Singh reminisced about Lucknow’s rich sporting history, referring to legendary names such as Major Dhyan Chand and Olympian Jamnalal Sharma, who helped shape the city’s sports culture. He noted that the first astro-turf in India was installed in the city’s sports college in the 1980s. He also recalled the renowned Sheesh Mahal Trophy, which once drew top Indian cricketers.
“The Sansad Khel Mahakumbh has now become a permanent fixture on Lucknow’s sporting calendar,” he added.
Inauguration of Smart City Projects
Alongside the sporting festivities, Singh also inaugurated major Smart City redevelopment works at the stadium, costing over ₹43.98 crore. These included:
-
Construction of an international-level boxing hall with digital scoreboards and AV facilities.
-
Renovation of tennis and volleyball courts as per global standards.
-
Construction of a 600-meter jogging track.
-
Installation of high-mast floodlights and new turf pitches for national-level cricket events.
-
Construction of new taekwondo and judo halls.
-
Refurbishment of an auditorium, boundary walls, and eight toilet blocks.
-
Creation of a multi-purpose indoor sports complex for handball, basketball, kabaddi, kho-kho, and fencing.
Singh expressed confidence that Lucknow’s athletes will soon be winning medals at national and international platforms. He also announced incentives for national medal-winning athletes, coaches, ground staff in the form of cash prizes, commendation certificates, and mementos.
Call for National Games in Lucknow
The Defence Minister made a special appeal to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to consider hosting the National Games in Lucknow, stating that it has been more than 75 years since the event was held in the state capital.
Review Meeting with Rail Officials
Later in the day, Singh chaired a review meeting with officials of the North and North Eastern Railway to assess the progress of infrastructure development in the Lucknow region. Key topics included:
-
Construction of overbridges and underpasses at major crossings.
-
Proposal to connect Polytechnic Chauraha to Gomti Nagar Railway Station via Metro link.
-
Appeal to restart the Circular Train service in Lucknow.
-
Suggestion to name Gomti Nagar Railway Terminus as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Terminus and to install a grand statue of the late Prime Minister at its entrance.
The DRM of North Eastern Railway assured that the proposal would be forwarded to the Railway Ministry through the state government.
Throughout the day, Rajnath Singh also held interactions with intellectuals across multiple locations in Lucknow, including Sadarna (West constituency), Dayal Paradise in Gomti Nagar (Central constituency), and Golden Celebration Hotel in Mahanagar (North constituency), as part of his outreach efforts.
As the day concluded, Singh extended his best wishes to all participants of the Sansad Khel Mahakumbh and encouraged youth to make the most of this opportunity to foster a strong, sporting India.
