Sports Literacy Mission: Launch of Sports Alphabet Booklets in 21 Languages
New Delhi, March 31, 2026
A historic and remarkable event took place today at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. It is perhaps the first time that a book on a single subject has been launched simultaneously in 21 languages at one place and at one time.
This program was organized under the aegis of Sports: A Way of Life, and was chaired by Shri Kalraj Mishra, former Governor of Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. On this occasion, renowned hockey player, Olympian, and Arjuna Awardee Shri Ashok Dhyanchand, along with Dr. Milind Pandey (Vice President of the organization) and several Hon’ble Members of Parliament from different parts of India, were present. Together, they jointly launched the Sports Alphabet Booklets prepared in 21 languages.
This concept has been developed by Dr. Kanishka Pandey, President of the organization and a noted sports researcher. The initiative is the outcome of over a decade of continuous research and experimentation aimed at developing a sports culture in India.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Pandey stated that just as alphabet learning is the first step in generating a child’s interest in education, similarly, sports alphabets can become the first step in developing an interest in sports among children. These booklets offer a dual benefit—while children learn letters and reading, they simultaneously develop a connection with sports.
Objectives of the Sports Alphabet Initiative
1. To increase sports literacy.
2. To develop sports and education as complementary rather than competing domains.
3. To inculcate core sporting values such as discipline, leadership, and decision-making (16 key sports values) at the kindergarten level itself.
4. To reduce children’s excessive dependence on mobile phones, computers, and online gaming, and encourage outdoor physical activities.
Dr. Pandey further emphasized that in India, sports and education have traditionally been treated as separate and even competing domains.
However, in reality, they complement each other.
He highlighted that in developed countries, leading universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Stanford excel not only academically but also in sports, with their students winning medals for their countries in the Olympics.
He further stated that while India is focusing on creating separate sports universities, there is also a need to empower existing higher educational institutions to become centers of sporting excellence. The aim of these booklets is to create a combined nursery of education and sports at the kindergarten level.
Multilingual and International Dimension
The Sports Alphabet Booklets have been prepared in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, English, Urdu, Sanskrit, Marathi, Bangla, Khasi, Bhojpuri, Bundeli, Rajasthani, Kumaoni, Garhwali, Kashmiri, Punjabi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Odia, Malayalam, Gujarati, along with two foreign languages—Arabic and Nepali.
To launch the Nepali version, Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Nepal, Shri Abhishek Pratap Shah, was present at the event. He appreciated the initiative and stated that he would recommend its implementation in primary schools in Nepal.
Remarks by Dignitaries
Shri Kalraj Mishra congratulated Dr. Pandey and stated that this sports alphabet initiative in every Indian language is a living example of India’s cultural diversity and unity.
Shri Ashok Dhyanchand mentioned that he has been associated with Sports: A Way of Life for a long time and that such scientific and structured efforts toward building sports culture are being witnessed for the first time.
Several Hon’ble Members of Parliament including Smt. Sulata Deo from Odisha, Shri. Golla Baburao from Andhra Pradesh, Smt. Seema Dwivedi from UP, Shri. Anurag Sharma from Bundelkhand Jhansi, amongst several others also participated physically and virtually , enhancing the dignity of the event and describing the Sports Alphabet Booklets as a unique initiative for youth development and holistic growth.
Presence of Dignitaries
The event was attended by numerous distinguished personalities including Members of Parliament, academicians, and eminent individuals from across the country.
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