Chandigarh, June 9 – Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal said that sportspersons are participating enthusiastically in the ongoing  Khelo India Youth Games which is being hosted by Haryana. 

"Haryana is leading in the medal tally.  We are hopeful this time the host would emerge as the champion. Our players are giving excellent performances in this grand sports festival," said Sh. Manohar Lal.   

The Chief Minister said this while interacting with the media after watching different  sports competitions organized at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula on Thursday.

Earlier, Sh. Manohar Lal and Union Jal Shakti Minister, Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also honoured the winners of 200 meters race by presenting them medals at Tau Devi Lal Stadium. 

After this both the Union Minister and Chief Minister saw the Mallakhamb and later met the players of handball and congratulated them.  

While replying to the  mediapersons during an interaction, the Chief Minister said that Haryana is successfully organizing the fourth edition of Khelo India Youth Games-2021.

He said that various agencies associated with this, who have organized the last three editions of Khelo India, also believe that this time Haryana has provided a very good environment to the athletes.The event was postponed thrice due to Pandemic but is now progressing in an incredible environment, added the Chief Minister. 

Sh. Manohar Lal also extended best wishes to the players of various  states who are participating in this event and hoped that they would give their best performance.

5 traditional games added for the first time in Khelo India

 In response to another  question, Chief Minister  said that this is the first time that 5 traditional sports have been included in Khelo India.  These include Mallakhamb, Gataka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and Kalaripayattu.  It has been seen that the sportspersons of different province are performing extremely well in these sports, but gradually their fame is increasing in other states as well, he said. 

Sh. Manohar Lal said that when the State provides opportunities to carry forward these traditional sports, it definitely boosts the spirits of the players.  Citing the example of Mallakhamb, the Chief Minister said that today he watched the competition of this game in which players from Maharashtra were performing well, as this game is related to their state.

The scenario of India has changed under the leadership of the Prime Minister

Responding to another question, Chief Minister  said that the scenario of India has changed under the leadership of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi during the tenure of 8 years of the Central Government.   The works which were never done during the Congress rule are being done now.  Today India's stature on the global stage has grown significantly, said Sh. Manohar Lal.

For sports other provinces also take inspiration from Haryana: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat

Union Jal Shakti Minister, Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that Prime Minister, Sh.  Narendra Modi has created a conducive environment for sports and sportspersons. Today the standard of sports has improved due to better sports infrastructure and a good playing environment in the country, he added. 

Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that the selection and training of players is being done on time.

Praising the tenure of Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that sports and sportspersons have progressed a lot during the present State Government's tenure.  

Haryana's has contribution towards enhancing its sports infrastructure and formulation of sports policy have helped in bringing laurels to the state, added Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

He said that Haryana has set a model in the field of sports, so other states should also take inspiration from it.  Sh. Shekhawat also stressed on promotion of traditional sports.  

Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India will organize competitions at the state and national levels to promote traditional sports so that these games are gradually played all over the world.  An example of this is Kabaddi, which is played all over the world today.

On this occasion, Haryana Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs, S. Sandeep Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Sports Department, Sh. Mahavir Singh, Director, Sports Department, Sh. Pankaj Nain,  Deputy Commissioner, Panchkula, Sh. Mahavir Kaushik and other senior officers also remained present.