India, March 8 -- Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse on Sunday said that India's medal count at the Olympic Games and other multi-discipline events can only improve if there is a multi-fold rise in women's participation in sports.

Khadse made the remarks during the launch of a nationwide athletics league at 250 locations across the country under the ASMITA (Achieving Sports Milestone by Inspiring Women Through Action) programme at the Divisional Sports Complex, Garkheda, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, to mark International Women's Day.

The Minister of State also inaugurated yoga, wushu, kickboxing and weightlifting leagues under the ASMITA banner besides flagging off a cyclothon and walkathon, being organise...