NE SPORTS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAY 13
Ahmedabad on Tuesday took a giant leap towards becoming India’s next athletics powerhouse with the launch of the high-energy UBS Athletics Kids Cup (AKC) Season 3 — a nationwide grassroots sporting movement aimed at discovering and nurturing the country’s future Olympic and Commonwealth Games champions.
Backed by Swiss sports development expertise and driven by India’s growing sporting ambitions ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2030, the initiative seeks to transform athletics from a niche competitive sport into a nationwide youth movement.
- UBS Athletics Kids Cup Season 3 launched in Ahmedabad with focus on grassroots sports revolution
- Swiss athletics expertise to help build India’s future Commonwealth Games and Olympic talent pipeline
- Over 2.5 lakh children and 2,500 schools already part of the nationwide movement
- Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra continues as ambassador of the initiative
- Ahmedabad positioned as emerging athletics hub with year-round youth sports ecosystem vision
The programme is spearheaded by Dspowerparts, the Swiss sports development company that is bringing Switzerland’s globally admired grassroots athletics ecosystem to India.
Swiss Formula Meets India’s Sporting Dream
Switzerland’s remarkable rise as a global athletics force over the last decade — powered by school-level participation, scientific coaching and strong grassroots structures — now forms the foundation of India’s ambitious youth athletics transformation strategy.
The launch event witnessed the presence of Olympian Anand Menezes, UBS Athletic Kids Cup CEO Daniel Schenker, Communication Head Andreas Cueni and Project Director Zahir Khan.
Originally developed as Switzerland’s most successful youth athletics programme, the UBS Kids Cup is now being scaled across India with Ahmedabad and Gujarat emerging as key centres of the movement.
The initiative focuses on children aged between 7 and 15 years and introduces them to athletics through engaging and inclusive formats centred around running, jumping and throwing disciplines.
Grassroots Sports Movement Gains Massive Momentum
What began as a sports participation initiative is now evolving into one of India’s largest youth athletics ecosystems.
Following a highly successful Season 2, the UBS Athletics Kids Cup has already established a strong national footprint:
- Presence in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Pune
- Participation from more than 2,500 schools
- Engagement of over 2.5 lakh children nationwide
Season 3 now carries an ambitious target — activating one million children across India through athletics and fitness-driven participation.
Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra continues as the official ambassador of the initiative, symbolising the bridge between grassroots participation and elite sporting excellence.
Ahmedabad Eyes Long-Term Sporting Legacy
A major highlight of the initiative is the “Train The Trainer” (T3) programme, designed to equip physical education teachers and coaches with the skills required to identify talent and build structured grassroots athletics programmes.
The initiative aims to leverage Ahmedabad’s growing sports infrastructure and ensure stadiums and athletic facilities remain vibrant throughout the year through youth competitions, training programmes and community engagement.
The long-term roadmap includes:
- Expanding athletics participation across Gujarat schools
- Encouraging healthier lifestyles among children
- Creating future medal contenders
- Building a sustainable sports ecosystem linked to CWG 2030 and beyond
From School Grounds to Global Podiums
Organisers believe India’s sporting future depends on creating clear pathways from grassroots participation to elite international competition.
As part of this larger vision, Dspowerparts is also aiming to bring the proposed Bharat Gold Cup — envisioned as a world-class athletics meet — to Ahmedabad, creating a global platform for India’s next generation of athletes.
Industry observers say the initiative could become a defining moment for Indian athletics, especially as the country intensifies preparations to emerge as a serious global sporting nation over the next decade.
A City-Wide Call for Participation
The organisers have invited schools, parents, corporates, coaches and local institutions to actively participate in the movement.
Schools will receive free implementation support, while coaches and PE teachers can join certification programmes aimed at building a professional grassroots coaching network.
With international expertise, institutional backing and rising public interest in sports, Ahmedabad now appears determined to transform itself into one of Asia’s most vibrant youth athletics ecosystems.
