12th February 2025: Khel Mahakumbh witnessed an electrifying moment today with the presence of six-time Women’s World Boxing Champion Mary Kom, the only woman to achieve this remarkable feat
She was joined by Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi, Kandhamal Sansad, Odisha, in an event that left young athletes inspired and motivated.
Addressing an enthusiastic audience, Mary Kom captivated young athletes with her incredible journey and shared valuable insights into the discipline and perseverance required to succeed. Her motivational words resonated beyond aspiring athletes, inspiring youth in general to embrace a more active lifestyle.
Expressing concern over the growing trend of excessive mobile phone usage among children, she strongly urged youngsters to prioritize outdoor activities. “Not just sports enthusiasts, but everyone should make it a habit to play outside every day,” she emphasized.
For aspiring athletes, she shared a powerful mantra: “Train yourself every second till your last breath. Make winning a habit, and you will never look back.” Citing boxing legend Muhammad Ali as her inspiration, she encouraged young athletes to adopt a mindset of resilience and determination.
Shri Panigrahi expressed his delight at being part of the prestigious Khel Mahakumbh and extended his gratitude to the organizers. He also acknowledged the contributions made by various stakeholders in making the event a grand success.
“Modi ji and Yogi ji have created such a congenial environment in the country that today’s youth can hardly complain about lack of facilities. Programs like Khel Mahakumbh are such a big platform for children and I hope they make the best use of this opportunity”.
In the 70-meter range archery competition, young players showcased their precise shooting skills and claimed gold medals. In the senior boys’ category, Ishu Singh from Mathura won the gold medal, while Rakhi from Shamli secured gold in the senior girls’ category. In the junior boys’ category, Hari Shukla from Kanpur emerged victorious, whereas Khushi Srivastava from Ghazipur clinched the gold in the junior girls’ category. Notably, Ishu Singh, Hari Shukla, Khushi, and Rakhi are national-level medal-winning players. Rakhi Srivastava also won a gold medal at the ongoing 38th National Games in Uttarakhand. The competition was judged by Vishal and Rajababu, with the presence of international coach Vishwas.
The event left an indelible mark on the young athletes, instilling in them the passion and dedication needed to achieve their dreams.
Tomorrow, February 13, the Sports Minister of UP will grandly conclude the ‘Khel Mahakumbh’.