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New Delhi: The second edition of the STAIRS Youth National Games and the inaugural STAIRS School Games began with great enthusiasm at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi on May 19. Organised by the STAIRS Foundation, a National Sports Promotion Organisation recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the multi-day sporting event is witnessing the participation of over 4,000 young medalists selected from district-level games held across 20 states and union territories.

The championship, running until May 22, is being held across multiple venues including Talkatora Stadium, IG Stadium, East Vinod Nagar Sports Complex, Noida Cricket Grounds, and Noida Skating Rink. Events span 15 sports disciplines such as football, kabaddi, skating, taekwondo, and yoga, featuring participants aged 8 to 19. Accompanied by 200 coaches and supported by 300 officials and 150 volunteers, the Games serve as a platform for young athletes to compete, connect, and grow.

Adding to the grandeur of this year’s edition is the launch of two prestigious honours: the EBEL (Ek Bharat Ek Lakshya) Awards and the STAIRS National Sports Excellence Awards, which recognise changemakers and grassroots enablers in sports, education, and leadership.

"These Games are beyond championships — they are platforms of transformation...for a fitter, stronger, and more self-reliant New India. Within a year, we have scaled both in reach and purpose, creating one of India’s largest grassroots sporting ecosystems," said Siddhartha Upadhyay, founder and president of STAIRS Foundation.

Among those present were STAIRS Brand Ambassadors, including actor Amit Sadh, boxer Gaurav Bidhuri, and India’s ‘Push-up Man’ Rohtash Choudhary, among others.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of different awards. Radhika Ojha, an International Baccalaureate student of Shiv Nadar School, Noida, was awarded the National Sports Excellence Community Trailblazer Award 2025 for her pioneering work in promoting adaptive sports for differently-abled athletes, underscoring the core STAIRS vision of inclusivity.

Radhika has led multiple powerful community initiatives such as Project Raahat, which works towards sustainable development and social equity for underprivileged communities. “This award is for those who are often overlooked — differently-abled athletes who deserve the same platform and encouragement as any other sportsperson,” Radhika said. “I’m truly grateful to the STAIRS Foundation and the committee for acknowledging my efforts over the past few years.”