New Delhi, Aug. 7: Olympic medallist and Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra has joined the UBS Athletics Kids Cup as a co-owner, strengthening his association with the grassroots initiative aimed at encouraging greater participation in athletics among schoolchildren across India.
Chopra, who has served as the programme’s ambassador for the past two seasons, said his decision to take on a larger role reflects his belief in creating wider opportunities for young athletes to discover and develop their sporting potential.
The initiative, which promotes athletics through fun, inclusive and accessible competitions, has already engaged more than 2.5 lakh children from over 2,500 schools across five Indian cities. With Chopra’s induction as co-owner, the programme now aims to expand its reach to one million children nationwide.
Speaking about the initiative, Chopra said every child deserves an opportunity to explore their talent through sport. He added that increasing participation at the grassroots level would not only promote healthy lifestyles but also help identify and nurture future champions for the country.
Organisers of the programme welcomed Chopra’s decision, describing it as a significant boost to the initiative’s long-term vision. They said his experience and achievements in international athletics would inspire children, schools and communities to embrace sports more actively.
The programme focuses on introducing athletics in a structured yet enjoyable environment while encouraging values such as confidence, discipline, teamwork and perseverance. It also places emphasis on inclusive participation, with girls accounting for nearly half of the total participants.
Officials associated with the initiative said expanding grassroots sports is essential for strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem and creating a larger pool of talented athletes capable of competing at the highest level.
With the next phase of expansion, the programme aims to increase school participation, broaden its geographical reach and contribute to building a stronger culture of sports among children across the country.
