Chhattisgarh’s first sports conclave was inaugurated by Deputy CM Arun Sao in Raipur, where discussions are being held on sports policy and infrastructure.
Raipur. For the first time in the history of Chhattisgarh, a sports conclave was organized today in a private hotel in Raipur. Deputy Chief Minister and Sports-Youth Welfare Minister Arun Sao inaugurated it. The state Sports and Youth Welfare Department organized it, in which sports administrators, experts, sports scientists, well-known players and officials of various sports associations from across the country have come. There will be brainstorming among these people in several sessions throughout the day—how to improve the sports environment in the state, how to nurture talent, how to provide good facilities to the players, and what should be the roadmap to prepare them for national and international level competitions.
Sports is important for capable Chhattisgarh: Arun Sao
Addressing the first session of the conclave, Sao said that sports will play a huge role in making a developed and capable Chhattisgarh. He said that when both sports and players progress in the state, the youth will get more opportunities to show their abilities. This will not only lead to their all-round development, but they will also emerge as a strong human resource—and Chhattisgarh will ultimately benefit directly from this.
Sao further said that the state government is fully prepared for the betterment of the players. Be it players, coaches or sports associations – everyone will be given help as per need. He laid special emphasis on the fact that the sports infrastructure already present in the state should be used properly, they should be operated properly and the players should have easy access to them.
‘Vision to Victory’ theme, sports associations will be strengthened in all districts
The theme of this conclave has been ‘Vision to Victory’. In the session on ‘Leadership, Sports Promotion and Talent Discovery’, Sao said that the findings of what experts will discuss in different sessions throughout the day will be directly used in creating better sports facilities and better players in the state. He also said that sports associations should be formed in all the districts, their structure should be strong and organized, activities should be conducted regularly and the entire work should be done in a transparent manner – this will be the full focus of the department.
Conclave’s suggestions will be included in the new sports policy: Secretary Yashwant Kumar
Yashwant Kumar, Secretary, Sports and Youth Welfare Department, said an important thing in his welcome speech – the conclusions that will emerge from today’s discussion will be made a part of the new sports policy of the state. He gave complete information about the programs and works being run by the government to promote the players. According to Kumar, at present sports infrastructure construction work costing more than Rs 150 crore is going on in Chhattisgarh.
International football player Kiran Pisda said – Bastar and Surguja are big platforms for Olympic players.
International footballer Kiran Pisda also spoke in the first session of the conclave. Kiran has been the captain of the Chhattisgarh women’s football team which won the gold medal in the Khelo India Tribal Games. He said that Bastar Olympics, Surguja Olympics and Khelo India Tribal Games – these three events are proving to be a big platform for the players of Chhattisgarh. He believes that this sports conclave, being held for the first time in the state, will prove to be very beneficial for the players, because from here the roadmap for preparation for national and international competitions will emerge, the benefits of which will reach all the players.
These special personalities were present in the program
Director of Sports and Youth Welfare Department Tanuja Salam, former international cricketer Rajesh Chauhan, Olympian Jinshan Johnson and General Secretary of Chhattisgarh Olympic Association Vikram Sisodia were present in this conclave. Apart from these, many sports professionals, sports officers of all the districts, coaches, medal winning players and officials of different sports associations were also present on the occasion.