Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat officially announced the start of the State-level Khel Mahakumbh 2018 here on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the State Government is arranging foreign coaches to provide special training to sports coaches in Uttarakhand.
Rawat said that Uttarakhand had received the historic opportunity to host the national games in 2020. He said that organising the Khel Mahakumbh, the Sports Department is trying to enable maximum number of youngsters to participate in it. He said, “Sports are not just games but also a means to feel one. Sports also create a sense of love for the country and a feeling to do something for the nation. Today, the emerging players are playing for their school, district, state. We wish that players will get the privilege of playing for their country in the future.”
It will be recalled that to promote sports, Khel Mahakumbh was first organised in Uttarakhand in 2017. These competitions are organised in different categories from Nyay Panchayat to State level.
Prize money for winning players at block, district and State level competitions has been doubled by the State Government this year. In the Khel Mahakumbh this year, 3744 boys and 3666 girls totaling to 7410 sportspersons, will participate in various age categories in 13 sports disciplines at the State level.
Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Arvind Pandey, MLA Umesh Sharma ‘Kau’ and others were present on the occasion.