By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Governor Dr. Balram Jakhar has urged the sports persons of the state to bring laurels to Madhya Pradesh winning medals in competitions at national and international levels.
Dr. Jakhar was addressing the grand function organized to confer Madhya Pradesh state’s highest sports awards for the year 2007 on the occasion of “Khel Diwas” (Sports Day) here at Ravindra Bhavan on Wednesday. He mentioned that there is a need to encourage the sportspersons to deliver best of their performances. Also, playground facilities would be ensured in every school, which will not only keep the children fit but would also ensure leaving their mark in the sports arena besides glorifying India’s name in the world.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan speaking on the occasion said that every possible step would be taken by the state government to glorify Madhya Pradesh in the field of sports. He announced that a cricket ground would be made available in the state to the newly formed Indian Cricket League on the occasion.
Chouhan further mentioned that no politics should come in the way of the sports. He reiterated that the state government is committed to extend co-operation to the institutions encouraging sports in the state. Also, such kind of sportsman spirit in politics could lead to speedy development of the state, he added. Chouhan gave a detailed account of decisions taken in the “Khel Panchayat” held today at his official residence.
The member of the Parliament Mrs. Yashodhara Raje Scindia, who is the former Madhya Pradesh Sports Minister, said that the students who enrolled themselves for diploma courses in Travel & Tourism and Computer Animation in the DSYW Academy established by the Sports & Youth Welfare Department in the first year after its establishment have already been absorbed in the jobs. She further added that every possible co-operation has been extended by the Chief Minister Chouhan towards sports activities during the last two years.
Finance Minister Raghavji said that boost in the sports activities has been observed in the state which resulted in establishing records by winning medals in the national sports competition in Gauhati. The Minister for Sports, Youth Welfare and Tourism Tukojirao Puar welcomed the guests in the programme and said that grievances related to sports and the sportspersons would be redressed soon. Also, action will be ensured on suggestions received during “Khel Panchayat”, he added.
The former hockey Olympian, son of the hockey wizard Major Dhyanchand was special guest on the occasion.
Governor Dr. Jakhar and the Chief Minister Chouhan also released a souvenir published by Sports and Youth Welfare Department. Moreover, mementos were presented by the Sports Minister Tukojirao Puar to the guests. The Sports Director Sanjay Chowdhary proposed a vote of thanks on the occasion.
Governor Dr. Jakhar and the Chief Minister Chouhan honored 10 sportspersons with Vikram awards, nine sportspersons with Eklavya awards and three coaches with Vishwamitra awards. Also, Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by them on the occasion.
The sportspersons conferred with Vikram awards include: Saba Khan – Jabalpur (Karate), Amish Pottan – Bhopal (Athletics), Sunil Kewat – Bhopal (Kayaking- Canoeing), Neelum Mishra -Jabalpur (Wushu), Darshana Wakde – Rewa (Kabaddi), Riyazuddin – Bhopal (Basketball), Rohit Patel -Indore (Wrestling), Sumer Singh – Gwalior (Equestrian), Munnalal -Ujjain (Malkhamb) and Manish Kumar -Gwalior (Arm Wrestling).
Similarly, Eklavya Awards were conferred on Amit Pilniya – Indore (Shooting), Anjali Koshta – Jabalpur (Wushu), Basant Sharma – Gwalior (Karate), Chandrakant – Bhopal (Fencing), Aishwarya -Indore (Tennis), Varsha Chowdhary – Indore (Cricket), Heta Dave – Indore (Swimming), Lakhan Singh – Bhopal (Throw Ball) and Rajni Jha – Gwalior (Swimming). The Vishwamitra awards were presented to three coaches namely Jaidev Sharma – Gwalior (Karate), Umesh Patel – Indore (Wrestling) and Ashish Saxena – Bhopal (Throw Ball).
The former chief secretary and chairman of the Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission Aditya Vijay Singh was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for encouraging sports. ([email protected])