Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said that India has left its mark in the sports arena in the last few years, and a new era in the sports field has started in the last 11 years. He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Sansad Khel MahaKumbh event in his parliamentary constituency, Lucknow, this morning.

Mentioning the contribution of the Central Government in the changing sports scenario, the Defence Minister said that the government has spent around 5000 crore rupees for sports infrastructure and now people in large numbers are attracted towards making their career in the fields of sports. The three-day Sansad Khel Mahakumbh is being organised at KD Singh Babu Stadium in Lucknow. The Maha Kumbh is featuring competitions such as athletics, football, volleyball, kabaddi, taekwondo, basketball, hockey, and boxing and is being held in two phases.