Thiruvananthapuram, June 23: India has made history by organizing the first-ever ‘Fun Run’ for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games under the Olympic Council of Asia’s ‘Asian Games for All’ initiative. The event took place in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, with over 40,000 participants joining in the celebration.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition Leader VD Satheesan, Indian Olympic Association President P.T. Usha, and Kerala’s Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs O.J. Janesh Kumar, among other distinguished guests.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mandaviya congratulated the Indian Olympic Association, Kerala Olympic Association, and all involved in organizing the event. He praised the state’s sports culture and community participation, stating, “Kerala holds a special place on India’s sports map. The passion for sports is evident not only in its champion athletes but also among the general populace.”
The Union Minister highlighted the impact of athlete development programs in the state, noting, “Currently, 115 athletes from Kerala, including 69 women, are part of the ‘Khelo India’ program, training to become future champions. Additionally, 17 athletes from Kerala are part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), receiving world-class training.”
The ‘Fun Run’ saw enthusiastic participation from educational institutions, sports associations, and citizens across Kerala. The event featured performances by the Indian Army Band, Zumba sessions, bodybuilding showcases, and demonstrations by yoga and gymnastics athletes. Discussing India’s sporting aspirations, Dr. Mandaviya said, “India has been awarded the rights to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030. We have also bid to host the Olympic Games in 2036. Prime Minister Modi has set a goal for India to be among the top 10 sports nations by 2030 and the top 5 by 2047, marking 100 years of our independence.”
Expressing confidence in India’s performance at the upcoming Asian Games, the minister stated, “I am sure we will set a new record at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. I also believe that Kerala’s athletes will play a crucial role in our performance and reaching the podium.”
Following the ‘Fun Run,’ a spectacular rally was held featuring roller skaters, electric scooters, and bullet motorcycles, with over 1,000 children and youth participating.
This historic event transformed the state capital into a vibrant celebration of sports spirit, fitness, youth engagement, and community participation, involving students, athletes, coaches, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, armed forces personnel, Kerala police, excise department, and ordinary citizens.
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