State’s second global astroturf hockey stadium inaugurated
Chhattisgarh etched its name prominently on the international sporting map on the birth anniversary of Hockey legend late Major Dhyanchand with the inauguration of its second International Astroturf Hockey Stadium here on Friday. This is the second International Astroturf Stadium of Chhattisgarh after the first was inaugurated early this year in Rajnandgaon. Chhattisgarh Assembly Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal inaugurated the stadium amid much fanfare. In the inaugural ceremony, players of Indian hockey team played an inaugural match, in which India Team ‘A’ won the match by 4-1.
On the occasion, several nationally and internationally renowned hockey players were also present. The State Government’s Sports Department later felicitated these sports persons. While addressing the programme, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal said : ‘India has a glorious history in the field of hockey sport. India has won gold medal in Olympics for eight times. The Hockey Magician late Major Dhyanchand’s birth anniversary is observed as ‘National Sports Day’ across the country. And now onwards this day will be remembered for one more reason and that is for inauguration of International Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Chhattisgarh on this day.’
Both the stadiums have been constructed by State government under the able leadership of Dr Raman Singh, Agrawal said. He welcomed the players of Indian Hockey Team while saying that their presence is an honour for Chhattisgarh. Agrawal congratulated Sports and Youth Welfare Department and PWD for completion of the Stadium construction work on time. He also thanked Hockey Federation of India for their guidance and support in development of the stadium.
Presiding over the programme, lok Sabha Member from Raipur Ramesh Bais said that Dr Raman Singh’s Government has realized the dream of hockey sportspersons in Chhattisgarh by establishing this stadium. He said that he would request Chief Minister to develop another astroturf stadium in Raipur for providing sportspersons a proper place for practice. Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal also addressed the programme saying that within just 14 years of its formation, Chhattisgarh has created its unique identity at national level in the field of sports. Sports infrastructure in state is developing at an expedited pace.
He congratulated sportspersons and people of state on inauguration of the second International astroturf Stadium in Chhattisgarh. Sports Department Secretary Dinesh Shrivastav read out the report of stadium construction. After the match, Vidhan Sabha Speaker felicitated the sportspersons and presented them mementos.
Meanwhile, MlA Devjibhai Patel, Satyanarayan Sharma, State Government’s Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand, Jila Panchayat Raipur President lakshmi Verma, Executive Member of Indian Olympics Association Vikram Sisodia, Chhattisgarh Olympic Association General Secretary Baldeo Singh Bhatia, Executive Director of Hockey India KR Shrivastava and other public representatives, Sports officials, senior officials and large number of sports lovers were also present.