ECI Launches Sports Week 2026 with ‘Run for Democracy’ Theme

The Election Commission of India (ECI) today inaugurated its Annual Sports Week 2026 at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) Sports Complex in Delhi, with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Gyanesh Kumar flagging off the week-long celebrations.

The sporting event, organised by the ECI Recreation Club, brings together 383 participants, including 72 women, in a vibrant display of teamwork, discipline and healthy competition. The 2026 edition carries the theme "Harmony on the Field, Strength in Democracy."

CEC Links Sporting Values to Electoral Integrity

Addressing officers and staff at the inauguration, CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar underscored the parallels between sportsmanship and the Commission's constitutional mandate.

He noted that the core values that define sport — transparency, rectitude and impartiality — are the same principles that underpin India's electoral processes.

Encouraging enthusiastic participation, the CEC urged participants to "wholeheartedly take part in the sporting events," emphasizing that physical fitness, team spirit and ethical conduct strengthen both institutions and individuals.

Following his address, Shri Gyanesh Kumar flagged off the 100-metre women's race under the banner "Run for Democracy," symbolically reinforcing the link between democratic vitality and collective effort.

43 Competitive Categories Across 7 Sports

The Annual Sports Week 2026 features competitions across 43 categories in seven disciplines, ensuring inclusive participation across age groups and skill levels.

The sporting disciplines include:

• Chess

• Carrom

• Table Tennis

• Badminton

• Cricket

• Football

• Athletics Track Events

Athletics events include 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m races for both men and women across different age categories.

The diversity of events reflects the Commission's emphasis on inclusivity, teamwork and holistic well-being among its personnel.

Promoting Wellness Within a Constitutional Institution

The Annual Sports Week has become a regular institutional initiative aimed at promoting physical fitness, camaraderie and stress management within the Election Commission — one of India's most critical constitutional bodies responsible for conducting elections for Parliament, State Legislatures and the offices of President and Vice President.

With India conducting elections for nearly 1 billion registered voters, the Commission's operational intensity is among the highest globally. Events such as Sports Week foster internal cohesion and morale within the organisation that manages one of the world's largest democratic exercises.

A Celebration of Harmony and Democratic Spirit

The theme "Harmony on the Field, Strength in Democracy" reflects the Commission's broader message that democratic institutions, like sports, thrive on fairness, discipline and respect for rules.

As competitions unfold through the week at the CWG Complex, the Annual Sports Week 2026 aims to reinforce not just athletic excellence, but the enduring spirit of teamwork and integrity that defines both sport and democracy.