Chandigarh, June 13- On the grand closing ceremony of the fourth edition of Khelo India Youth Games 2021 held at Indradhanush Auditorium, Panchkula, Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal announced to set up Haryana Sports Academy to train the players coming from all over the country.
"In view of providing state-of-art sports infrastructure, a hostel would be opened in Panchkula having an accommodation facility for 200 players. Through this, along with providing international level facilities to the players, they will also be trained to become proficient in the game," said Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister also announced to double the prize money being given to the medal winning players of Haryana for their excellent performance in Khelo India Youth Games-2021.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that an amount of Rs. 1 lakh would be given to the gold medal winner, Rs. 60,000 to sliver medal winner and. Rs. 40,000 to the bronze medal winner.
Not only this, he also announced to give Rs.5000 as an incentive to the players of Haryana participating in the games.
Haryana players' gave Dhakad performance in Khelo India
Sh. Manohar Lal said that organizing 'Khelo India Youth Games' in Haryana holds utmost importance, because at present Haryana has a distinct identity in the sports world both Nationally and Internationally.
The Chief Minister expressed happiness that together we have been able to make this event a memorable one.
Sh. Manohar Lal said that the results of Khelo India competitions have proved that Haryana has immense sports talent. This is the reason that instead of developing some special sports centres in the state, the State Government have done the work of promoting sports at the grassroot levels.
"I assure you that we will further provide all sports facilities to every player and make Haryana a nursery of sports," he added.
The Chief Minister said, 'On June 4, at the launch of these sports competitions, I had said that just as the Jawan(Soldier) Kisan (Farmer) and the Wrestler of Haryana are Dhakad, similarly the State athletes will also perform in a 'Dhakad' way in this sports event. I am glad that our players have proved my point in letter and spirit.
Ambitions of the players will get new wings from Khelo India
The Chief Minister appreciated the sportsmanship of all the players and said that they have brilliantly shown their physical ability and mental toughness by participating in these competitions.
Specially congratulating the medal winning players, the Chief Minister wished that by continuing this streak of victory, they should bring laurels to the country on the international stage as well.
The Chief Minister said that today everyone will return back from Haryana with many unforgettable memories and take such an experience from the soil of Haryana, which has become a nursery of sports and will help them to reach new heights in future.
Sh. Manohar Lal expressed hope that these Khelo India competitions will certainly give new wings to the aspirations of the budding players.
Addressing the players, the Chief Minister said that Khelo India is the first step of their future endeavours. He said that sports should not be limited to competitions only, but the spirit of sports should be included in the daily life, even if they are regional sports.
1100 Sports Nurseries are being opened in the state
The Chief Minister said that the State Government has prepared sports infrastructure at grassroot levels. The sports calendar has also been prepared to organize various sports competitions throughout the year in the state.
He said that Haryana is the first state in the country, which gives maximum cash prizes to medal – winning sportspersons.
“As many as 1100 Sports Nurseries are being opened in the state to develop sports culture among the children. This will benefit about 25000 budding players of the state. The state government is working on the policy of grooming the players since childhood. We are committed to providing all the necessary facilities to the players,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Congratulations to Haryana for the successful organization of Khelo India Youth Games, Anurag Thakur
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Sh. Anurag Singh Thakur congratulated Haryana for the successful organization of Khelo India Youth Games-2021.
He said that the 12 national records made in Khelo India show how successful the event has been.
“Tokyo Olympics has been India’s best Olympics, as Haryan’s lad Neeraj Chopra won gold for the country. In the World Boxing Championships also, we have finished third. Haryana is the sporting super power of India. Our endeavour is to take traditional sports to the international level,” said Sh. Anurag Thakur.
He said that in sports, Haryana’s UnnatiHooda has won the game by defeating the country’s number one player.
Sh. Anurag Thakur said that the vision of Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi is to give maximum opportunities to the sportspersons.
He said that Khelo India 2022 and Khelo India University Games 2022 will also be held soon.
Haryana shines bright in Khelo India Youth Games-2021, Haryana Governor
Haryana Governor, Sh. BandaruDattatraya, who attended the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest, congratulated and gave best wishes to all the participating players from across the country and the players who won the Khelo India Youth Games 2021.
He appreciated Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal and his entire team as well as all the officers, employees, volunteers and workers who played an important role in making this event a huge success.
The Governor said that this event brought laurels to the state and world-class sports facilities were made available to the players in Haryana, which the State would be able to utilize in future also to take their sport talent forward.
“Most of the girls have participated in it. The girls have not only performed better in every competition but have also broken many national records. I wish them all the best,” said the Governor.
Haryana emerges as Khelo India Youth Games Champions
Notably, in the Khelo India Youth Games-2021, Haryana has secured the first position with 52 gold medals, pushing Maharashtra to the second place as they won 45 gold medals.
In this edition of the Khelo India Youth Games, Haryana has managed to beat Maharashtra with lead of 7 gold.
Haryana has bagged a total of 137 medals including 52 Gold, 39 Silver and 46 Bronze, while Maharashtra has bagged a total of 125 medals including 45 Gold, 40 Silver and 40 Bronze.
Similarly, Karnataka remained at number three with a total of 67 medals including 22 Gold, 17 Silver and 28 Bronze medals.
Dignitaries present in the closing ceremony
MP, Ambala, Sh. Rattan LalKataria, Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Haryana, S. Sandeep Singh, Union Minister of State for Home and Youth Affairs, Sh. NisithPramanik and others remained present.