After IPl cricket extravaganza is over successfully in Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh international Stadium at Parsada village, at Naya Raipur, Captain of Kolkata Knight Riders team Gautam Gambhir and ex-cricketer Vijay Dahia paid courtesy call on Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh on Thursday afternoon. On the occasion, the CM honoured Gautam Gambhir by presenting a bell-metal artefact and in return, the KKR captain gifted a bat signed by him.
Gambhir, while in conversation with Chief Minister, hailed the magnificence of village Parsada based Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium and also praised the pitch at the stadium. He said that he has visited Rajnandgaon city of Chhattisgarh earlier, and according to him, the pitch there was one of the fastest pitch of India. Meanwhile, Gambhir also shared that his team had visited CRPF camp during their Raipur visit and were spell bound to see the courageous spirit of soldiers there.
During the courtesy visit of KKR Captain, Chief Minister assured that by the commencement of next IPl, the State Government will ensure better facilities, hotels and infrastructure at Naya Raipur so as to offer better services and hospitality. Chief Minister told Gautam Gambhir about the State Government's plan of establishing a sports academy in state so as to hone the potential sports talent of Chhattisgarh. Meanwhile, CM also made him aware about various achievements and assets of State.
Talking about IPl, KKR Captain said that this kind of format is providing better opportunities to budding sports talent. He also said that cricket is a good career option for youth if they have the talent. Chief Secretary Sunil Kumar, Principal Secretary to CM N Baijendra and others were also present.