International-level players to be nurtured in MP schools

Bhopal: School Education Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah said that international levels players will be nurtures and pruned in schools in Madhya Pradesh for which regular international-level sports activities will be organised in the state. He said that an international-level Multi-purpose Stadium will be set up by the School Education Department at a cost of Rs 51 crores in the state. The School Education Minister Kunwar Shah was today addressing the gathering at the inaugural ceremony of the 5th Asian School Hockey Championship at Aishbagh Stadium, Bhopal. The School Education Minister also announced to give away cash prize of Rs 51,000 to school players in the national-level competition for gold medal, Rs 21,000 for silver medal and Rs 11,000 for bronze medal.

The School Education Minister Kunwar Shah said that it is a matter of immense pride for the School Education Department that for the first time, a sports activity of international level is being organised in Madhya Pradesh for which he thanked the Asian School Games Federation of India. Minister of State for School Education Shri Deepak Joshi said that due to the international level school players of the state, Madhya Pradesh would be counted Number 1 in terms of games and sports in the country. He mentioned the remarkable achievement of former Olympian Hockey player Shri Aslam Sher Khan on international level. Minister of State for Cooperatives Shri Vishwas Sarang said that games have always played a significant role in the life of a common man. The identity of Madhya Pradesh has been maintained at national level due to the Obaidullah Gold Cup Hockey Tournament. Shri Sarang said that Madhya Pradesh has carved a niche for itself in the field of sports due to increased number of sports activities in the last one decade.

Mayor Bhopal Shri Alok Sharma said that Bhopal is known as a nursery of hockey. Bhopal has given Hockey Olympians like Aslam Sher Khan and Sameer Daad. Glorified tradition of Bhopal will be continued. He mentioned that the Municipal Corporation Bhopal will organize All India Deendayal Upadhyaya hockey tournament and women hockey tournament in the name of Rajmata Scindia.
Padamvibhushan Satpal Maharaj said that after the Asian Hockey tournament, players of international standard will be produced from Madhya Pradesh. He said that federation will provide all the assistance to Madhya Pradesh to encourage sports activities.

President Schools Games Federation of India Olympian Shri Sushil Kumar mentioned that federation has provided opportunity to 800 players of India to take part in the international sports competitions during last two years. Out of these, 150 players have won medals. Commissioner Public Instructions Neeraj Dubey informed about the sports activities of the School Education Department.

Teams of Malaysia, Srilanka, China, U.A.E. Nepal, India, Singapore and Thailand with their respective flags held march-past. Minister for School Education made announcement towards opening of tournament and administered pledge to the players for sportsmanship spirit. Artists of Bundelkhand presented mesmerizing folk dance Badhai and Nourta. Balloons were released and fireworks took place in the inaugural programme. Former Olympian Aslam Sher Khan, Sameer Daad, Office Bearers of Federation, Secretary School Education Smt. Deepti Gour Mukherjee were present in the programme. Vote of thanks was given by the Director Public Instructions Smt. Anju Bhadoriya.-WTN