CM Shri Vishnu Deo Sai Attends First Sports Conclave in Chhattisgarh, Distributes Incentives to Medal-Winning Players of Khelo India Tribal Games
Raipur, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended the closing session of the Sports Conclave organized by the Sports and Youth Welfare Department today. At the conclave held at a private hotel in the state capital Raipur, he presented incentive amounts to the players who won medals for the state in the first Khelo India Tribal Games of the country, held in Chhattisgarh in March-April. This Sports Conclave was organized for the first time in Chhattisgarh, in which sports administrators, policy makers, sports scientists, renowned players, experts, and sports association officials from across the country deliberated throughout the day on a roadmap for better facilities for players, talent identification, training, and robust sports infrastructure in Chhattisgarh.
Addressing the conclave, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said that the serious deliberations held amongst experts today will provide a meaningful and effective direction to the work for the betterment of sports and players in the state. He said that this conclave will prove to be a milestone for the development of sports in the state. He added that Chhattisgarh is working seriously to promote sports and players. Under the Excellent Sports Mission, a provision of Rs 100 crore has been made in this year's budget to strengthen sports infrastructure. We have recently approved a list of 156 outstanding players from across the state, who will be given preference in government jobs in the future.
Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that Bastar Olympics, Surguja Olympics, and Khelo India Tribal Games have been organized in the state to provide a good platform for players to compete. Approximately four lakh players participated in the Bastar Olympics and about three and a half lakh players in the Surguja Olympics. The state's sports talent needs to be provided with proper opportunities and resources. We are actively working towards this.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare Shri Arun Sao said that this conclave will be very helpful in making Chhattisgarh a leader in the field of sports. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, continuous efforts are being made for the progress and welfare of sports and players in the state. He said that youths emerge naturally strong, both physically and mentally, from Chhattisgarh's geographical conditions. We are working on a plan to identify and nurture the sports talent of children from primary classes. He added that the invaluable suggestions and guidance received from experts today will definitely be implemented. Incorporating today's conclusions, we will formulate a detailed action plan and implement it effectively.
Secretary, Sports and Youth Welfare Department Shri Yashwant Kumar, Director Ms. Tanuja Salam, Olympian Shri Jinson Johnson, renowned educationist and sports scientist Dr. Ratnesh Singh, Secretary General of Chhattisgarh Olympic Association Shri Vikram Sisodia, High-Performance Analyst Shri Ronak Kothari, National Secretary of PEFI Dr. Piyush Jain, Deputy Director General of Khelo India Shri Mayank Srivastava, and former international cricketer Shri Rajesh Chauhan, along with many players, coaches, sports officers from all districts, and sports association officials, participated in large numbers at the conclave.
11 Players and 3 Teams Who Won Medals in Khelo India Tribal Games Received Incentive Amounts
Chhattisgarh Had Won a Total of 19 Medals, Including 3 Gold, 10 Silver, and 6 Bronze Medals
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai presented incentive amounts to the players who won medals for the state in this year's Khelo India Tribal Games during the closing session of the Sports Conclave. Chief Minister Shri Sai had announced on April 3rd this year, during the closing ceremony of the Khelo India Tribal Games, the distribution of incentive amounts to the medal-winning players of the state. Chhattisgarh had won a total of 19 medals, including 3 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
In the Khelo India Tribal Games, Nikita won a gold medal in weightlifting. Rishika Kashyap won a silver medal in weightlifting, Anushka Bhagat in swimming, and Lakshman Sodhi, Abhishek, Damru Kumar, Gajendra Thakur, and Tilak Barse won silver medals in athletics. Manish Kumar won a bronze medal in athletics, Nikhil Khalko in swimming, and Lucky Babu in weightlifting.
The Chief Minister presented checks of Rs 2 lakh to the gold medal winners, Rs 1.5 lakh to the silver medal winners, and Rs 1 lakh to the bronze medal winners. In team events, the women's football team, which won a gold medal, received Rs 22 lakh, the men's football team, which won a silver medal, received Rs 16.5 lakh, and the men's hockey team, which won a bronze medal, received Rs 9 lakh.