He was speaking after inauguration of second Khelo India 2019 games on Wednesday at Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Mhalunge Balewadi. Union Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Guardian Minister Girish Bapat, APorts Minister Vinod Tawde, MoS Social Justice Dilip Kamble, MP Anil Shirole, International wrestler Sushil Kumar, DG of Sports Authority of India Nilam Kapur, Additional principal secretary of Sports Department Vandana Krishna, Union Sports Secretary Rahul Bhatnagar, SAI Deputy DG Sandip Pradhan were conspicuous by their presence.
CM Fadanvis thanked the central government for allowing Maharashtra to host the khelo India 2019. Recalling Swami Vivekananda’s advice to youth to go and play football than visiting temples, Fadanvis said that healthy youth can ensure transformation of the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a twitter message congratulated the players participating in this event.
The state government has adopted certain important decisions in sports sector on the lines of the central government, he said and added that the amount given for playgrounds at taluka level is increased from Rs 24 crore to 45 crore. These steps were taken to brighten the name of the state in sports sector, he added.
Olympic winners will be mounded from ‘Khelo India’ contests – Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore welcoming the players and coaches gathered here from across the country said that the second Khelo India contests are being organised with the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We are thankful to Maharashtra State for hosting these competitions. There will be direct telecast of all the contests held here in next 10 days so that the country can watch these new champions. One thousand players will be selected from these competitions and they will be given scholarship fo Rs 5 lakh per year. These contests will create Olympic winners. He appealed to youth to devote some time on grounds so that they can develop good health.
Lokrajya special issue released
On this occasion the January issue of ‘Lokrajya’ magazine, mouthpiece of Maharashtra Government, was released. The issue is dedicated to Khelo India 2019 games. Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis, Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Stare Sports Minister Vinod Tawde, Guardina Minister Girish Bapat, MoS Social Justice Dilip Kamble released the issue on this occasion.
The program was attended by sportspersons, coaches and other dignitaries from various fields.