Madhya Pradesh is the first state to insure 822 players
Bhopal : The 7-day state-level Gurunanak Devji Provincial Olympic Games competition began at the T.T. Nagar Stadium with the announcement of Revenue and Transport Minister Shri Govind Singh Rajput. Public Relations Minister Shri P.C. Sharma, Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Shri Jitu Patwari, former Union Minister Shri Arun Yadav and Padmashree Olympian Archer Sushri Deepika Kumari released colourful balloons on the occasion. Along with a spectacular presentation of Mallakhamb players, players from ten divisions of the state performed an attractive march past. Medal winners of “Khelo India” Youth Games were honoured with incentives in the ceremony.
MLAs will be given authority to approve grant of Rs 5 lakh
Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare Shri Jitu Patwari said that the Gurunanak Devji Provincial Olympic Games has started in the state on the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Kamal Nath, to provide adequate opportunities to the rural talents in sports. The state government has fulfilled the promise made in the manifesto. He informed that every MLA will be given the authority to approve grants up to Rs 5 lakh for the development of popular sports.
Citing the achievements and schemes organized by the Sports Department, Shri Patwari said that Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to have 822 players of the Academy insured. Incentives of players have been increased manifold. It was decided to give 5 percent reservation to sportspersons in government jobs. He said that the Chief Minister doubled the incentive amount of the medal winners of “Khelo India” Youth Games.
It is necessary to face defeat to win
Public Relations Minister Shri Sharma told the players that they should not be afraid of the struggle as it is necessary to face defeat in order to win. He appreciated the Chief Minister’s sentiments towards the players and said that Shri Kamal Nath called mountaineers Sushri Megha Parmar and Bhavna Dehriya at the Cabinet meeting and honoured them. He encouraged the players to excel in the provincial Olympics. He said that through this competition, the government has given the players an opportunity to sense the pride of “We are also Olympians”.
Players cannot reach their goal without passion
Minister Shri Rajput said that players cannot reach their goals without talent and passion. He told the participating players that they had reached the Provincial Olympics after much struggle. He told them to display their best sports talent and be successful. Former Union Minister Shri Arun Yadav also addressed the gathering.
Inner confidence must in players
Padmashri Olympian archer Sushri Deepika Kumari openly lauded the state government for the sports facilities being provided to the players in the state. She also gave career tips to the players. She said that when I started the game of archery in the year 2007, there were not many sports facilities and equipments but I did not give up. Today I am at this stage. She told the players to avail the opportunities. Inner confidence is must for players. She told them to share and learn from the experiences of fellow players apart from the coach to improve the game.
Olympics aim at preparing talents for Commonwealth, Asian Games
Director Sports and Youth Welfare Dr. S.L. Thausen said that besides traditional sports, the objective of government’s concept for Provincial Olympic games is to prepare state’s talents for Commonwealth, Asian and Olympic games and provide them maximum opportunities to display their talent. He informed that state-level Gurunanak Dev Ji Provincial Olympic Games Competition is being organized from today to February 7 in which players from 10 divisions are taking part in 10 games. He welcomed the guests with bouquets and honoured them with mementos.
In the first group, volleyball, football, wrestling, badminton and kabaddi competitions have started from February 1st to 3rd. Knockout matches were played.