By our correspondent, Ahmedabad, 14 February 2013

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today strongly protested the decision to drop millennium-year-old sports of kushti (wrestling) from Olympic Games, describing it as an insult to India and other Asian countries.

Addressing the grand finale of the month-long 3rd statewide month-long Khel Mahakumbh-2012 at Shahibag Police Stadium here this evening, he said that kushti is one of the oldest form of sports and the decision to drop it in the name of ‘modernization’ smacks of a conspiracy to finish this form of sports with mala fide intentions.

Mr. Modi urged the Government of India and Prime Minister to vehemently raise India’s concern and voice against the decision at the right forum and restore its glory.

The highlight of the game was participation of 92,000 physically challenged. Nearly 21-lakh sportspersons, including 8-lakh sportswomen, participated in as many as 21 events this year, out of whom 1,272 won medals – including 399 gold, as many silver and 494 bronze medals. In all, 72 records were broken by 43 sportsmen and 29 sportswomen.

He said that practice, performance and progress by the participants lent increased popularity to this annual Khel Mahakumbh. Development of sports at this mega scale in Gujarat has attracted global attention with an Australian university signing an agreement and a French company coming to Gujarat. The world will have to take cognizance of so many physically challenged youth taking parts in so many sports events.

The Chief Minister presented shields and medals to the winners of the state-level finals. He spoke highly of the specially-abled hockey wizard Maya Devipujak of Mehsana on her winning the gold medal in Special World Weaker Games-2013 in South Korea, and presented her a special consolation prize of Rs.2-lakh on the occasion. He also complimented all the contestants, contributing to increasing popularity of the mega event. This year, it was held a little late, from January 18 to February 13, 2013.

Sports Minister Ramanlal Vora said that Khel Mahakumbh was started in Gujarat’s golden jubilee year with 13-lakh participating in various events. This year, the number rose to 21-lakh.

Australian High Commission’s Trade Commissioner Tom Calder expressed wonder at popularity of 21 games, besides cricket, in Gujarat.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included Revenue Minister Anandiben Patel, Gujarat Assembly Speaker Ganpat Vasava, Minister of State for Law Pradeepsinh Jadeja, Ahmedabad Mayor Asit Vora, DGP Chittaranjan Singh, Sports Secretary Bhagyesh Jha, Sports Authority of India Gujarat Director General Vikas Sahay.