Gurgaon, India, Mar 03: On Saturday, 28th February 2026, the Tau Devi Lal Stadium hosted the 9th edition of Khel Yatra, an inter-school track and field competition specifically designed for children from underprivileged backgrounds. Organised by a dedicated team of Grade 11 student volunteers from the American Embassy School – Anya Ramani, Diya Shrivastava, Tej Singh, and Tejasva Pandey – the event provides a professional platform for youth who typically lack access to organized sports.
Since its inception in April 2017, Khel Yatra has grown from 175 children representing 15 schools to this year’s cohort of 228 athletes from 17 different NGO schools, including Udayan Care, The Happy School, and the Salam Balak Trust.
Khel Yatra is more than just a day of races; it is a talent identification hub. In previous years, the event has successfully bridged the gap between slum-dwelling youth and professional athletics. Notable alumni include Hasibor Sheikh (Naya Savera), discovered at age 15, and Suman Mohapatra (Divine Youth Foundation), scouted at age 11 during the inaugural edition. Both athletes impressed Athletic Association officials during the competition and were promptly scouted for state and district-level teams. To sustain this momentum, the organizers continue to fund stadium practice time and professional coaching for promising participants to prepare them for future inter-club meets.
The official competition runs from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, featuring 100m dashes, 200m sprints, 400m runs, 4x100m relays, and long jump events for boys and girls across U12, U14, U16, and U18 divisions. This community-driven initiative is made possible entirely through student-led fundraisers and donations, which provide all 250 participating athletes with event t-shirts, nutritious meals, and professional officiating in a supportive, high-energy environment.
“Through these races, we want to give these children an opportunity to focus their energy into healthy competition and proudly display their skills,” says Anya Ramani, Grade 11 student at the American Embassy School and lead organizer. “For many of these athletes, this is a rare chance to step away from their daily challenges and experience the joy of sport. Our goal is to show them that sports are not just about winning, but a vital pathway for personal development and healthy living.”
This sentiment is echoed by the educators working directly with the youth. “Khel Yatra is a significant learning opportunity for our children,” share Bharti & Kalpana Joshi from Spreading Smiles Gyan Kendra, Nathupur. “They live in jhuggies (slums), and some are unable to attend school regularly. They have no chance to participate in competitions, let alone compete with other schools. Children who win races proudly take home their medals and trophies to show their parents, friends, and neighbours. Seeing their peers inspires them to perform at their best. Visiting a large stadium and participating in track and field races is a fantastic experience that they can enjoy only thanks to Khel Yatra.”
Managed under Jyoti Yatra, a registered non-profit, Khel Yatra aims to uncover hidden talents and bring joy to children living in challenging conditions. Because many participating schools do not typically have access to inter-school events, this intervention provides a critical space for athletes to relax in a friendly atmosphere and express themselves through physical excellence.