The second edition of three-day Bharat Kesri Dangal began at War Heroes’ Memorial Stadium in Ambala Cantonment, with Haryana dominating in the first round in women’s category.
Speaking on the occasion, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Anil Vij, exhorted the participants to compete with the spirit of sportsmanship and discipline. Motivating the wrestlers to put in their best, he assured them that they would not have to face any inconvenience during the course of the competition.
In the 48-kg category in the first round, Ritu from Haryana defeated Nandini from Maharashtra, and Pinky from Haryana beat Swati from Maharashtra in the 53-kg category. Similarly, in the 58 and 63-kg categories, Pooja and Sangeeta from Haryana were awarded walkover and in the 69-kg category, Pinky from Haryana defeated Tejaswini from Maharashtra.
About 80 wrestlers, including 21 international-level wrestlers, are participating in the dangal. Top eight teams in senior national wrestling championships divided into two pools would compete in 160 bouts of freestyle wrestling during the competition.
The winners in each of the total ten categories, including five each for men and women, would get cash prizes of Rs 10 lakh each
Meanwhile, in view of the excellent performances of its sportspersons at various national and international competitions, Haryana has been awarded the first state of the year award for 2016 at the Times of India Sports Awards held in Mumbai.
Sports Minister, Anil Vij, who received the award on behalf of Haryana Government, said that the award would serve to boost the morale of sportspersons in the State, and would give new identity to the new sports policy implemented by the State Government, at national level.
He said the Haryana is promoting traditional sports and like last year, national-level dangal was being organised in Ambala this year as well.