Around 1,200 children from 50 Mobile Creches centres participated in the organisation’s annual sports meet, ‘Kheltey Raho, Khiltey Raho’, at Thyagaraj Sports Complex in New Delhi on October 21. The event celebrated the importance of play, teamwork and inclusive participation in childhood development.
The sports meet brought together children from construction-worker, brick-kiln and other working communities, providing them with opportunities to participate in sporting activities, explore their abilities and experience the joy of playing together.
Indian wrestler and Arjuna Award recipient Pooja Dhanda attended the event and highlighted the role of sports in developing discipline, teamwork, confidence and resilience among children. She said every child deserved opportunities to play, explore their potential and pursue their interests, irrespective of their circumstances.
Sumitra Mishra, CEO of Mobile Creches, said, “At Mobile Creches, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to play, learn and thrive. Play and sports are an important part of childhood and contribute to children’s physical, social and emotional development.”
She added that the sports meet provided children from communities whose contributions often go unseen an opportunity to take centre stage, discover their abilities and experience the joy of participation.
The event concluded with an award distribution ceremony recognising the children’s participation and sporting efforts. Children, caregivers and members of the Mobile Creches community came together to celebrate childhood, inclusion and the importance of play.
Through its early childhood care and development initiatives, Mobile Creches advocates every child’s right to care, protection, learning and opportunities to grow. The annual sports meet reinforces the role of physical activity and play in supporting children’s holistic development.
The event underscored that sports extend beyond winning and losing, helping children build confidence, nurture friendships and develop through participation.