Dhawan steps up to bat for Delhi’s grassroots sports push

MUMBAI: When sport meets state ambition, a familiar opener is walking out to the crease. Shikhar Dhawan has been appointed Brand Ambassador of the inaugural Delhi Khel Mahakumbh, a flagship grassroots initiative of the directorate of education and sports under the Government of NCT of Delhi.

Conceived as a city-wide sporting carnival with serious intent, the Delhi Khel Mahakumbh aims to widen participation, spot early talent and build structured pathways for young athletes across the capital. By bringing school and community-level sport under one competitive umbrella, the programme positions sport as a key pillar of youth development rather than an extracurricular afterthought.

Dhawan’s association adds instant visibility and resonance. One of India’s most recognisable sporting figures and an Arjuna Awardee, he has increasingly focused on nurturing talent beyond his playing career through his venture Da One Sports. His involvement aligns with the event’s ambition to give young athletes the exposure many careers hinge on.

Ashish Sood, Minister of Education and Sports, Government of Delhi, described the Mahakumbh as a “transformative platform” for sports development, noting that Dhawan’s presence brings credibility and inspiration while reinforcing the focus on grassroots participation and talent identification.

For Dhawan, the role strikes a personal chord. He said the initiative responds to a city “brimming with talent and seeking the right opportunity and exposure”, adding that his own journey underlines how decisive early platforms can be. He also linked the effort to a broader vision of strengthening Delhi’s sporting legacy and aspirations.

That ecosystem thinking is echoed by Da One Group CEO Anshita Gupta who said the Mahakumbh fills a crucial gap by offering structured development and high-performance avenues, creating clearer routes for aspiring athletes to progress.

The scale of the ambition is sizeable. The inaugural Delhi Khel Mahakumbh begins on 13 February, spanning 16 venues across the capital and drawing participation from all 12 districts of Delhi. Thousands of young athletes are set to compete across basketball, football, athletics, kabaddi, wrestling, squash and volleyball.

If the idea is to make sport feel accessible, aspirational and city-wide, Delhi has chosen a brand ambassador who knows a thing or two about seizing an opening and turning it into something bigger.