Chandigarh, January 10 - Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal today met the state players awarded with the Arjuna Award and their coach today at Haryana Bhavan in New Delhi. On this occasion, he also honoured the awardees and the coaches.
The Chief Minister congratulated Wrestlers Sunil Kumar, Antim Panghal and Golfer Diksha Dagar who were honoured with the Arjuna Award in the National Sports Awards 2023.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister sought suggestions from these athletes on how sports in Haryana could be further promoted. Responding to this, the athletes praised Haryana's sports policy, stating that it has boosted the morale of athletes, and the youth are now more inclined towards sports due to this Pro-player Policy. In the state villages, the youth are now practising sports to make a future in them.
Haryana is giving the highest cash rewards to medal winners
The Chief Minister shared that Haryana is giving the highest cash rewards to medal winners in the country. He assured that the government would implement any good suggestions given by athletes to give a further boost to the sports infrastructure and facilities. He expressed pride when Haryana athletes win medals on the international stage, and when the National Anthem is played, it becomes a mesmerizing and prideful moment for all Indians.
Despite being a small state geographically, Haryana has been the leading state in winning medals at both the National and International levels. The Chief Minister stated that Haryana's sports policy is providing opportunities for athletes to progress, and he hopes for even better results in the future.
During discussions with the athletes, the Chief Minister inquired about the need for sports equipment in villages through District Sports Officers. Following the demands, sports equipment will be made available through gram panchayats. A foundational framework for sports will be developed from village to village in Haryana so that the youth can be nurtured since childhood. Plans are also underway to establish specialised high-power performance centres to train youth in popular sports, said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Haryana's sports policy is the best in the country, Athletes
On this occasion, Arjuna Awardees Sunil Kumar and Antim Panghal, who came to meet the Chief Minister, said that Haryana's sports policy has given a boost to sports, especially in wrestling, where Haryana has achieved a separate status. Regardless of the competition, Haryana's wrestlers are shining bright and are winning medals.
Arjuna Awardee Yogeshwar Dutt, who accompanied the players during the meeting with the Chief Minister, said that from the perspective of sports, Haryana is a prosperous state. Suggestions were also given to the Chief Minister during the meeting to further promote wrestling in the state. He said that the Chief Minister has been consistently making efforts to promote sports.
Media Advisor to Chief Minister, Sh. Rajeev Jaitly, Deputy Director, Sports Department, Sh. Giriraj Singh, Arjuna Awardee coach, Sh. Rohtash Dahiya, Dronacharya Awardee coach Mahavir Singh, Arjuna Awardee Sunil Kumar, Commonwealth Games gold medalist Anil Kumar, Dhyan Chand Awardee Kuldeep Malik, Olympic referee Ashok Kumar, Arjuna Awardee Anshul Malik, Arjuna Awardee Sarita Mor, International Player Ritu, Shweta, and Vishal Kaliraman also remained present on this occasion.