Forest department will have sports premises of its own. This was stated by Forest Minister Gaurishankar Shejwar while distributing prizes to winners of 20th State-level forest sports competitions held from October 7 to 10 here on Friday.
Shejwar said that Forest Development Corporation will provide Rs 4 lakh to make available latest facilities to Department’s players. State level winners will participate in 21st national forest sports competition to be held at Goa between November 4 to 8.
Congratulating players going to Goa Shejwar said that a training camp for players will be held at Bhopal from October 25 to 30. State’s players will participate in athletics, tennis, billiards, carom, javelin throw, discus throw, weightlifting, basketball, volleyball, swimming and other competitions at national championship.
The Forest Minister felicitated AK Jain with shawl, coconut and momento for discharging sports competition’s responsibility for last 20 years. The players took out an attractive march-past and gave salute to the chief guest.
The first national forest sports competition was held at Hyderabad in 1993. Madhya Pradesh is the only state which has always been on top 3 positions in national forest sports competition.
In 20 national forest sports competitions so far, the state has stood first for 5 times, second for 12 times and third for 3 times. Madhya Pradesh stood second after Chhattisgarh at last national forest sports competition held at Panchkula in year 2012.
State Forest Development Corporation’s MD RN Saxena, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Ajit Sonkiya, MD of Madhya Pradesh laghu Vanopaj Sangh Animesh Shukla, member-secretary Narmada Valley Development Authority SP Singh and departmental officers and employees were present on the occasion.