18 March,2026 06:05 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
BMC Mayor Ritu Tawde discussing about 2025-26 Mayor`s Cup Sports Competitions
In a major push to promote sports among youngsters, BMC Mayor Ritu Tawde on Wednesday announced a Rs 5 crore amount to be distributed in the Mayor's Cup Sports Competitions to be held in 2026-27.
As per the officials, the announcement was made during a high-level review meeting at the BMC headquarters in Mumbai. The meeting was organised to discuss preparations for the 2025-26 edition of the tournament.
It was attended by key civic leaders, including Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, Opposition Leader Kishori Pednekar, Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, and representatives from various sports associations across the city and suburbs.
Addressing the gathering, Mayor Tawde highlighted the growing concern of excessive screen time among children, stating that increased mobile usage has distanced youth from outdoor activities. Tawde further emphasised that the Mayor's Cup would play a crucial role in encouraging children to return to sports and physical fitness.
Tawde also highlighted, "This tournament is being organised for the first time after the COVID-19 period. We aim to make it larger, more inclusive, and beneficial for budding athletes."
She also added that maximum facilities and amenities would be provided to participating teams.
In a significant relief for participants, the Mayor announced an extension of the preparation period from three to four months, following requests from sports associations. She also assured that BMC's sports grounds would be made available more easily and at concessional rates, while issues related to infrastructure and ground conditions would be resolved on priority.
According to the official statement, the BMC is also considering allowing the use of educational institution grounds for the tournament, further expanding the availability of venues.
Tawde also suggested involving local corporators to scale up the event and increase community participation.
Deputy Mayor Ghadi stressed the need to revive traditional sports, noting that modern competitive pressures have sidelined indigenous games. "Through the Mayor's Cup, we must promote traditional sports and support athletes who keep these games alive," Ghadi said.
Echoing similar sentiments, BEST Committee Chairperson Trishna Vishwasrao said the Mayor's Cup, a tradition since 1976, continues to inspire and nurture sporting talent across Mumbai.
Municipal Commissioner Gagrani also offered guidance during the meeting, emphasising coordinated efforts to ensure the smooth execution of the tournament.
With enhanced funding and broader participation planned, the Mayor's Cup Sports Competitions are expected to emerge as a major platform for grassroots sports development in Mumbai.
