Raksha Khadse, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, set the agenda at the DSJA-hosted SJFI Convention 2026 in New Delhi, urging sports journalists to champion disciplines beyond cricket. Describing journalism as the force that turns athletes into legends and sports into national symbols, she inaugurated the four-day summit.
In a detailed X post, Khadse recounted the landmark event, graced by Hari Ranjan Rao and Sarju Chakravarty. She hammered home the urgency of equitable media space for all sports, amplifying government efforts, fostering sports tourism, and nurturing talents in sports science.
Positioning sports media as India’s soft power ambassador, Khadse highlighted its democratic essence in promoting public welfare. She spotlighted gender disparities, advocating for women’s influx into the profession, and lauded journalists’ tireless efforts in building a robust sports framework.
The program opened with ceremonial lamp-lighting and a series of honors: DSJA’s Abhishek Tripathi for Khadse, Sabi Hussain for Rao, and Khadse for SJFI’s Ramesh V and others, including state association heads.
Culminating the day, the JK Bose Inter-Zonal T20 Trophy and AC Bali Table Tennis Trophy were unveiled amid cheers. The T20 draw confirmed South-East and West-North clashes, heralding a festival of competition that aligns with Khadse’s vision for holistic sports development.