New Delhi, September 17: News18 India, India’s No. 1 Hindi news channel, is set to host Jazba: Jadon Se Shikhar Tak, a first-of-its-kind national platform celebrating the spirit, resilience and journeys that shape Indian sport.
The event, to be held in Delhi on September 18, will bring together some of India’s leading sportspersons, policymakers, administrators, industry voices and experts for conversations that look beyond the medal podium and explore the journeys, challenges and ecosystems shaping Indian sport.
Jazba will shine a spotlight on the people, stories and ecosystems behind India’s sporting achievements, from athletes and coaches to families, academies, institutions and policymakers who nurture champions. The platform will explore the key topics shaping Indian sport, including grassroots development, sports infrastructure, Olympic ambitions, sports policy, innovation and the rapidly growing sports economy.
More than a traditional conclave, Jazba is a celebration of the journey behind every victory, the early-morning drills, years of training, setbacks, comebacks, and the people who stand behind every champion. From sporting icons and emerging achievers to para-athletes and grassroots heroes, the event will bring these diverse stories and voices to the forefront.
Through insightful conversations and panel discussions, Jazba will look at where Indian sport stands today and the road ahead, examining how stronger grassroots systems, better infrastructure, new opportunities and a thriving sports ecosystem can shape the next generation of Indian champions.
The distinguished line-up of speakers will include Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Labour and Employment; Youth Affairs & Sports, GOI; Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; Minister of Minority Affairs, GOI; Anurag Thakur, Member of Parliament; Former Minister, Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports, GOI; Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, AVSM (Retd.), Minister for Industry & Commerce, IT & Communication, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Youth Affairs & Sports and Sainik Welfare; Govt. Of Rajasthan; Shreyasi Singh, Minister of Industries & Sports, Govt of Bihar; Gaurav Gautam, MoS for Youth Empowerment & Entrepreneurship and Sports, Law & Legislative Affairs, Haryana; Dilip Tirkey, President, Hockey India; Former Captain, Indian Hockey Team; Olympian; Ashok Dhyanchand, Former Hockey Player, Arjuna Awardee; Hockey India Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award; Ishant Sharma, Former Indian Cricketer; Yogeshwar Dutt, Former Indian Wrestler, Olympic Medalist; Sardara Singh, Former Captain, Indian Men’s Hockey Team; Padma Shri Awardee; Arjuna Awardee; Sandeep Patil, Former Indian Cricketer, 1983 World Cup Winner, Former Chairman, BCCI Sselection Committee; Commentator; Aakash Chopra, Former Indian Cricketer; Commentator; Paras Dogra, Captain, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Senior Men’s Cricket Team; Akhil Kumar, Former Indian Boxer, Arjuna Awardee, Olympian; Ashwini Nachappa, Former Athlete; Arjuna Awardee; Olympian; Founder Ashwini’s Sports Foundation; Rani Rampal, Former Captain, Indian Women’s Hockey Team; Padma Shri Awardee; Khel Ratna Awardee; Arjuna Awardee; Uday Vishwanath Deshpande, Indian Mallakhamb Coach; Padma Shri Awardee; Deepa Malik, Paralympian, Khel Ratna, Padma Shri Awardee, Arjuna Awardee; Shubham Juyal, Para Shot Put Athlete; Commonwealth Games 2026 Medalist; Sharmila Dhankar, Para Shot Put Athlete; Commonwealth Games 2026 Medalist and many others.
Talking about the upcoming event, Jyoti Kamal, Managing Editor, News18 India, said, “India’s sporting story is at an important juncture. We have seen remarkable performances and a growing appetite for sport, but there is still a lot of ground to cover, from giving young talent better opportunities and wider access to building stronger support for athletes. Jazba: Jadon Se Shikhar Tak will bring together voices from across the sporting world to understand what is driving this change and what it will take to sustain it. It is a platform to share ideas and inspire, learn from different experiences and keep the conversation around Indian sport moving forward with optimism and purpose.”
Adding to it, Mitul Sangani, CEO, Indian Language Cluster and News18 Digital at Network18 said, “Indian sport today has stories that deserve to be heard beyond the scoreboard. We have seen the country celebrate its sporting successes, but it is equally important to bring the stories behind that success, the gaps and challenges, and the changing sports economy into the mainstream. These conversations can help us understand sport from different perspectives and, importantly, inspire more young people to participate and pursue their sporting dreams. News18 India’s Jazba is about using the platform’s reach to put the spotlight on the people and ideas shaping India’s sporting journey, its future and the wider sports economy.”
With Jazba, News18 India aims to celebrate Indian sport in its fullest spirit, not just the moment a medal is won, but the people, passion and perseverance that make that moment possible.
