Akshay Kumar leads fitness push in Pune as MP Sports Festival ends with record 44,000 participants
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar encouraged youth toward fitness at the closing ceremony of Pune’s MP Sports Festival, which concluded with over 44,000 participants across the city.
Pune, 28 November 2025: Pune concluded its first-ever MP Sports Festival on Thursday with a rousing finale led by Bollywood star Akshay Kumar. The closing ceremony, held at the Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, brought together thousands of young athletes, parents, and sports veterans, marking a powerful close to an event that saw widespread enthusiasm city-wide.
More than 44,000 sportspersons across the city participated in the festival, highlighting Pune’s deep sporting talent and public interest in physical activity During the event, over 4,000 winners were felicitated — athletes who stood out in various competitions spanning 37 sports across 29 venues.
Akshay Kumar — a well-known advocate of fitness and a disciplined lifestyle — delivered an energetic address urging young people to step away from screens and embrace physical activity. He began his entry at the ceremony by cycling from the main gate to the dais, signalling the core message of the festival.
He appealed especially to children and youth, saying good health is the foundation of success. He encouraged families to support their children’s engagement in sports and physical exercise, pointing out that staying fit is more important than short-term achievements.
Organisers, including Murlidhar Mohol (Pune MP and Union Minister) and Chandrakant Patil (Higher and Technical Education Minister), praised the turnout and called the festival a major step toward strengthening Pune’s sports culture. They emphasised that from among the numerous participants could emerge future champions — Olympic hopefuls or national-level athletes.
With such widespread participation and enthusiasm, the festival may have set a new benchmark for grassroots sports promotion in Pune. Its success is being seen as a model to replicate across other cities in Maharashtra to nurture sporting talent and promote healthy living among youth.
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