Surat, 18 January 2013

Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated the latest edition of annual sports extravaganza Khel Mahakumbh 2012-13 in Surat. The Chief Minister welcomed the Khel Mahakumbh torch and district-wise march past of the sportsmen.

Modi said that due to model code of conduct effective in the state, the 2012 edition of Khel Mahakumbh had to be postponed, and it is taking place now, and the government will organize the 2013 edition of Khel Mahakumbh also during this year.

Modi said, the Gujarat government has taken a decision to continue to mark one more year as Yuva Shakti year on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

Khel Mahakumbh 2013 has attracted 25.50 lakh registrations from across the state. Seven lakh of them are women, while one lakh are differently able persons.

Khel Mahakumbh which covers 21 games, is scheduled to conclude on 11 February. Total prizes to be distributed to winners are worth Rs 25 crore.