• Over 5,000 Athletes from 15 states vie for top honors in 15 sports disciplines
• STAIRS brand ambassador and renowned actor Amit Sadh shares his vision for nurturing young talent
• New Commission Chairs introduced; reinforcing commitment to fortify integrity in sports
• STAIRS Youth National Games spearhead the development of India's next sports icons

New Delhi, 27 April 2024 - The Society for Transformation, Inclusion, and Recognition through Sports (STAIRS) Foundation, a premier National Sports Promotion Organisation committed to grassroots sports development in India, launched the much-awaited STAIRS Youth National Games at Delhi's Indira Gandhi Stadium, heralding the start of an exhilarating three-day sports extravaganza showcasing over 5,000 gold medalists from across 15 states and union territories.



The participants, selected through a rigorous process involving over 2,000 district championships, range from 8 to 19 years. They are supported by a robust team comprising 560 coaches, 490 officials, and 350 volunteers, reflecting a tremendous collaborative effort. These athletes were chosen from over 200,876 participants, including 131,538 males and 69,338 females.

The event's grandeur was amplified by the presence of several distinguished guests, including STAIRS brand ambassador and renowned actor Amit Sadh, joined by esteemed board members- Lt. Gen. PJS Pannu Retd., Former Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Services, Sh. Vishwas Tripathi, Chairman, UNI, Sh. Nikhil Nanda, MD, JHS Svendgaard, and Sh. Pankaj Dubey, CEO & Founder, DSPIN Consulting Pvt. Ltd.



The ceremony also highlighted STAIRS's commitment to fair play and integrity by felicitating its commissions' newly appointed Chair, including Ms Charu Pragya, BJP National Media Panelist (Clean Sports and Ethics Commission), Sh. Nitish Rana, Former Special Public Prosecutor, ED (Right to Play Commission), Dr. Anchal Gupta, Ophthalmologist (Sexual Harassment Commission), and Sh. Abhishek Issar, Founder, UNIV Sportatech (e-Sports Commission).



Sharing his excitement, Shri Amit Sadh said, "Being part of STAIRS and this launch is incredibly exhilarating. It's a powerful movement that resonates deeply with my values and aspirations. Together with STAIRS, I am committed to advancing this cause, aiming to nurture and harness the untapped potential of India's youth. Our vision is to create a sustainable ecosystem that not only cultivates sporting talents but also instils a strong sense of discipline, ethics, and resilience in young athletes. This platform is an excellent stepping stone towards achieving that, and I'm thrilled to be a driving force behind such transformative change."

Shri Ajit M. Sharan, IAS (Retd) and Chairman of the Board of Directors at STAIRS said, "The Stairs Youth National Games symbolise our dedication to sports development at the grassroots level. They provide a national stage for young athletes to showcase their talents and strive towards becoming champions of tomorrow."



Speaking about the STAIRS Youth National Games, Shri Siddhartha Upadhyay, President and Founder of the STAIRS Foundation, said," Our mission with the Stairs Youth National Games is deeply rooted in promoting grassroots sports, aligning seamlessly with Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of nurturing young talent to enhance India's standing in global sports, particularly the Olympics. STAIRS Youth National Games provide a robust platform for young athletes to showcase their abilities and instil the values and discipline required to excel at the highest levels. STAIRS is committed to creating a nurturing environment that prepares athletes to compete with the best and bring honour to the nation, and the games are a significant step towards achieving this goal."

Over the next three days, the athletes will showcase their talents in an array of sports, including Basketball, Karate, Taekwondo, Badminton, Volleyball, Kabaddi, Table Tennis, kho kho, Football Athletics, Skating, and Cricket, dispersed across renowned venues such as Indira Gandhi Stadium and Tyagraj Stadium in Delhi, ensuring a thrilling and diverse competitive environment.
The Stairs Youth National Games offer more than just competition; they provide a nurturing arena for growth, networking, and personal development, reinforcing the foundation's vision of empowering youth through sports. The next three days will see intense competitions, where athletes compete for medals and engage in valuable cultural exchanges and learning opportunities.



As a distinguished non-profit organisation committed to advancing sports, education, health, and skill development for children throughout India, STAIRS seeks to identify and foster young talents from grassroots levels. By furnishing a platform for exceptionally gifted young athletes from all corners of India to showcase their abilities and compete nationally, STAIRS aims to empower talented athletes to excel and lead dignified lives through sports and contribute to the emergence of more champions for the nation.

About Stairs Foundation:

The Society for Transformation, Inclusion and Recognition through Sports (STAIRS) is a National Sports Promotion Organisation at the forefront of grassroots sports and youth development. Since its establishment in 2000, STAIRS has been recognised with the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar by the Hon'ble President of India for identifying and nurturing young talent nationwide. Committed to empowering India's youth through the transformative power of sports, STAIRS integrates sports with education, health, and skill development programs, with the core belief centred on ensuring that every child has the opportunity to play, learn, and thrive. Our goal is to unleash the boundless potential of children across India.