Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday said that playing sports can help people achieve fitness goals and also contributes to mental health, helping to prevent depression and increase self-esteem and confidence.
While presiding over the closing ceremony of T-20 cricket tournament organised by the Himachal Pradesh Sports and Anti Drugs Association at the BCS Ground, the Chief Minister said that sports play an important role in gaining qualities like discipline, determination and team spirit.
He said that sports activities are vital not only for providing few recreational moments in our busy schedule but also help us in living a healthy lifestyle.
Thakur said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently launched ‘Fit India, Hit India’ in the form of slogan for giving importance to fitness.
To supplement the endeavour of the Prime Minister, the State Government has also given a clarion call of ‘Fit Himachal, Drug-Free Himachal’ to make sports instrumental to fight the menace of drug abuse in the society, he added.
Earlier, the Chief Minister administered oath of anti-drug abuse on the occasion.
In this two days sports extravaganza, final match was played between Chief Minister XI and Press XI.
Wife of the Chief Minister Dr Sadhna Thakur tossed the coin. Captain of Chief Minister XI Jai Ram Thakur won the toss and elected to bat.
The Chief Minister XI could score only 94 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. Press XI achieved the target in the eleventh over with six wickets in hand.
Later, the Chief Minister gave away prizes to the winners of the tournament.
Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar, MC Shimla Mayor Kusum Sadret and other senior officers of the State Government were also present on the occasion.