Neeraj Chopra Takes a New Step in Supporting Young Athletes
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has recently taken a big step in promoting sports for children by becoming a co-owner of the UBS Athletics Kids Cup. After serving as the program’s ambassador for two seasons, Neeraj is excited to help inspire more kids across the country to get involved in sports and maintain active lifestyles.
The UBS Athletics Kids Cup is one of the largest grassroots sports initiatives in India. It aims to introduce children to athletics through enjoyable and inclusive competitions. So far, the program has reached over 250,000 children from more than 2,500 schools in five cities.
Neeraj expressed his thoughts, saying, “Over the last two seasons, I’ve witnessed the positive impact that the UBS Athletics Kids Cup has had on children in schools. Every child deserves a chance to find and show their talent. Becoming a co-owner is the next logical step for me because I believe deeply in our shared vision. We aim to reach one million children and inspire even more young people to take up sports. I’m eager to share my experiences with kids and teachers because the more children play, the higher the likelihood we create future champions.”
Daniel Schenker, CEO of Dspowerparts and co-founder of the initiative, welcomed Neeraj’s new role, stating, “The best validation for any program is when someone who understands the field decides to invest in its future. Neeraj has seen firsthand the impact we’re making and shares our vision. His decision to join us as a partner is a strong symbol of what we can achieve together in the coming years.”
With Neeraj on board, the UBS Athletics Kids Cup is poised for growth, aiming to reach one million children across India. Beyond simply introducing sports, the initiative focuses on building confidence, discipline, and encouraging lifelong participation in physical activities, fostering a strong sporting culture from the ground up.
This initiative has quickly become one of India’s key grassroots sports programs, providing exciting opportunities for children to participate in events. Notably, nearly half of the participants have been girls, highlighting the program’s commitment to making sports accessible to every child.
Despite dealing with injuries this season, Neeraj Chopra continues to be one of the top javelin throwers globally. He started his 2026 season with a fourth-place finish at the Doha Diamond League, throwing a distance of 85.69 meters, which also qualified him for the Commonwealth Games. Neeraj later secured a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with a throw of 85.83 meters, a win that held special significance after enduring ten months of injuries.
Next, Neeraj will compete in the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21 before leading India’s team at the Asian Games 2026.
