In recently concluded National games in Jharkhand, Gujarat could not win a single Gold medal. Gujarat just could secure 4 silver and 3 bronze medals. On the other side, small Manipur could secure 48 Gold medals(total 118) while Haryana took away 42 Gold medals(total 115). Even a small Jharkhand state could won as many as 33 Gold medals(total 96). The states that have not been able to win a single gold medal are Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Chandigadh, Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat!

While Gujarat could not win a single Gold medal, there was one son of Gujarat Parimal Nathwani who played key role in organizing the event in Jharkhand. This was revealed by none other than National Games organizing committee Executive President Shri R.K. Anand in a function held at Ranchi on Sunday. Anand said he had approached several companies for organizing national games in Jharkhand, but the response that he got from Jharkhand Rajya Sabha MP and Reliance Group President Parimal Nathwani after brief talk during flight journey was commendable. Anand publicly thanked Nathwani for the role he played in supporting the cause of National Games in Jharkhand. The function was about felicitation of 120 medal winners of Jharkhand state with prizes ranging from Rs. 41000 for Gold winner, Rs. 31000 for silver winner to Rs. 21000 to bronze winner. Nathwani gave away the prizes through Dhirubhai Ambani foundation.

Jharkhand assembly Speaker Chandreshwar Prasad Sinh praised Nathwani for his commitment and service to Jharkhand state. Ranchi’s Mayor Rama Khalkho also congratulated Nathwani and Dhirubhai Ambani foundation for this initiative. In response Nathwani termed ‘Khel Gaon’ of National Games as ‘New Ranchi’. Nathwani praised those who worked hard to make National Games event successful. Nathwani is also Vice President of Gujarat Cricket Association.

Interestingly while Jharkhand has secured fifth place of top five medal winning states of India in 34th National Games, Gujarat has secured fifth place from last in same.

The government of Gujarat has started organizing annual state level sports event ‘Khel Mahakumbh’. First such Mahakumbh was organized last year. In recent past, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi himself went to only Commonwealth medal winner girl from Gujarat to encourage her. In coming years, it would be interesting to see what impact – Khel Mahakumbh and state government’s new love for sports – bring on the ground. There is general complain that the state is lacking of proper environment and infrastructure for sports. The state should reward its sportsmen who perform well nationally.

Ranking of states in 34th National Games