In a vibrant start to the year, the Election Commission of India’s Sports Week 2026 commenced at Delhi’s Commonwealth Games Sports Complex on Monday. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar inaugurated the annual event, highlighting its role in promoting fitness and core democratic values.
‘Sports embody transparency, honesty, and impartiality – the very pillars of our electoral system,’ Kumar remarked. He drew parallels between the discipline of the sports field and the necessities of fair elections in a democracy, encouraging everyone to participate with full enthusiasm.
Kicking off with the ‘Run for Democracy’ marathon dash – a 100-meter women’s sprint – Kumar gave the green signal. The event’s theme, ‘Harmony on the Field, Strength in Democracy,’ celebrates collaboration as key to empowerment.
A total of 383 ECI employees, with 72 women among them, are vying in 43 categories spanning chess, carrom, table tennis, badminton, cricket, football, and track athletics. Races in 100m to 800m will cater to various age brackets for men and women.
This Recreation Club-organized spectacle seeks to build stronger bonds and competitive zeal among staff. Over the week, it promises high-stakes action, laughter, and a deeper appreciation for how sports mirror the teamwork essential to robust democracy.