- Governor Honours Participants of Khelo MP Youth Games
- State-Level Closing Ceremony Held at Kushabhau Thakre Internation Convention Centre
Bhopal, Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel said that sports instil determination and teach the value of sustained effort. Regular practice nurtures excellence, while sports teach us to accept both victory and defeat, strengthen life values, and shape well-rounded personalities. Sportsmanship connects people and ignites feelings of patriotism and love for the nation. The Governor addressed the state-level closing ceremony of the Khelo MP Youth Games on Saturday. On the occasion, he honoured divisional winners and congratulated the participants. The ceremony, held at the Kushabhau Thakre Auditorium, was attended by Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang.
Madhya Pradesh Emerges as the Nation’s ‘Sports Powerhouse’
Governor Shri Patel stated that a sports field is not merely a place of wins and losses; it is a workshop for character-building. On the field, there is no caste, religion, or hierarchy, only a player and a goal. He stated that Madhya Pradesh was once considered a quiet state in sports, but today it has emerged as the country’s “sports powerhouse.” The Khelo MP Youth Games have discovered talent from village lanes and brought it to the national stage. He praised the state government’s efforts to promote traditional sports and provide platforms to talent across the state.
MP’s Soil Gives International Recognition in Sports
Governor Shri Patel said it is a matter of pride that athletes trained in Madhya Pradesh’s sports academies now have the capability to hoist India’s tricolour from Paris to Los Angeles. Whether shooting ranges, water sports academies, or equestrian arenas, world-class facilities are now available to the state’s youth. He highlighted Mallakhamb as a shining example of India’s cultural and sporting heritage, adding that Madhya Pradesh has given this traditional sport international recognition.
‘Sports, Athletes, and Playgrounds’ Are Government Priorities: Minister Sarang
Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Shri Vishvas Kailash Sarang said the government’s priorities for promoting sports are ‘sports, athletes and playgrounds’ and work is being carried out accordingly. He informed that competitions under Khelo MP Youth Games were held from January 13–20 at block and district levels, January 21–25 at divisional levels, and January 27–31 at the state level in Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Ujjain, Jabalpur, Narmadapuram, Shivpuri, Rewa and Sagar, with participation from over one lakh athletes overall and 15,000 athletes at the state level.
At the state level, 723 gold, 723 silver, and 895 bronze medals are being awarded with prize money of ₹31,000, ₹21,000, and ₹11,000, respectively. In total, 2,341 medal winners are receiving prizes amounting to nearly ₹4 crore.
Awards and Acknowledgements
Minister Shri Sarang welcomed Governor Shri Patel with a bouquet and ceremonial stole and presented a memento. The Governor awarded trophies to divisional winners—Indore Division (First), Bhopal Division (Second), and Jabalpur Division (Third)—and commended officials, staff, and volunteers of the Sports Department for the successful event.
Senior officials, including Principal Secretary Manish Singh, Director Rakesh Gupta, international hockey player and Olympian Vivek Prasad Sagar, referees, and participants were present at the ceremony.
