Uttarakhand youth welfare and sports minister Arvind Pandey announced that the Khel Mahakumbh would commence on 8 January and would continue till February 21. While addressing a press conference on Sunday, the minister informed that the chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat would inaugurate the mega sports event of the state which would be held at Maharana Pratap Stadium. He expressed the hope that the event would be a grand one which would boost the sports potential of the state.
Talking to the media persons at Press Club on Sunday, Pandey said that the Khel Mahakumbh is meant to give the talented youth of the state a platform where they can get a chance to perform and make a better future in the realm of sports. “The event would also help find and select students who are talented but unable to rise up in the field due their background. The government would help them to rise up with every means at its disposal,” he assured.
The minister further said, “This is the second year of Khel Mahakumbh in the state and we are trying to resolve various issues to make the upcoming event more successful. We have also raised the amount of the cash award. We would facilitate prizes like car, bike and bicycles to the good players through industrial units under CSR.”
He further said, “As earlier stated, we are set to open a football academy in the state very soon. The best performers in Khel Mahakumbh would get a chance to be in the football academy so as to ensure that the best talents are nurtured under the guidance of the best coaches. Also keeping in mind the importance of proper instructions and training, two coaches from Ukraine would be brought in Dehradun to train our children during the competition,” the minister added.
Quizzed over the hiccups coming in the way of Khel Mahakumbh and the steps the government is taking to solve them, he said, “During the preparations for the event, there were some problems. Those entrusted with the responsibility acted carelessly in submitting the names of the players. They were later removed from their duties,” he said.
“We are leaving no stone unturned to make the event a spectacular and productive one in the interests of the future of the sports in the state. We are taking all possible steps to ensure that the best facilities are given to the players. We are taking care of all things from the food to the playing kits,” the minister added.