Gandhinagar, 21 November 2014

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel distributed prizes worth Rs.27.73-crore to the winners of the statewide Khel Mahotsav on the concluding day of the mega event here today. Nearly 28.55-lakh persons, in 6 to 60 age groups, including physically challenged, participated in 21 events held at village to state level over the last 45 days. The function concluded with a colourful variety entertainment programme at a largely attended function.

Declaring the sports meet as concluded, she announced special allocation in next financial year’s budget to encourage sports and sportsmanship spirit in the state. The government will retain specialized coaches to train talented sportspersons in different games. She called for greater participation asked the budding sportspersons to prepare from now on for the Khel Mahakumbh 2015.

The Chief Minister attributed the success of the Gujarat’s mega sports event drawing more contestants to the state’s call for ‘Ramshe Gujarat, Jitshe Gujarat’.

Sports, Youth and Cultural Affairs Minister Nanubhai Vanani spoke on the occasion. It was attended by MPs Paresh Raval, Kiritbhai Solanki, Minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja, Mayor

Meenaxiben Patel, MLAs Jagdish Panchal, Nirmalaben Vadhwani, Suresh Patel, Jagrupsinh Rajput, Rajnikant Patel, Sports, Youth and Cultural Affairs Secretary Bhagyesh Jha, District Collector Rajkumar Beniwal, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner D. Thara, DDO Udit Agrawal, Police Commissioner Shivanand Jha, among others.