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Gujarat's sports budget, once just Rs 2.5 crore before 2002, has now surged 141-fold to exceed Rs 352 crore, as per officials.
"Today, athletes of Gujarat shine on both national and international stages, transforming the state's once passable sports reputation into one of excellence. This remarkable progress is the result of the relentless efforts by the Gujarat government. Under the visionary leadership of former Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a range of innovative initiatives, programs, and policies were launched, offering athletes the required training, financial support, and recognition," as per an official press release. Gujarat's sports budget, once just Rs 2.5 crore before 2002, has now surged 141-fold to exceed Rs 352 crore. It is important to note that August 29 is celebrated annually in India as National Sports Day to honour the birthday of the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, the release stated. To improve the sports environment in the state, the Sports Authority of Gujarat has implemented various initiatives, including the Center of Excellence, Khel Pratibha Puraskar, Shaktidoot Yojana, In-School Yojana, District-Level Sports Schools, and Khel Mahakumbh. "The Gujarat government supports athletes through special coaching, sports kits, infrastructure, travel expenses, and nutrition as part of these schemes. Additionally, under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's leadership, Gujarat has launched the Sports Policy 2022-2027 to advance the sports ecosystem in the state. This policy aims to make Gujarat a leader in sports and offer athletes more opportunities to achieve their dreams," as per the release. Today, Gujarat hosts major sports events and provides athletes with exceptional opportunities to demonstrate their skills. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the state has successfully organized the 36th National Games and the 19th National Inter-District Junior Athletics Meet (NIDJAM) over the past two years. In the last 20 years, the Gujarat government has developed world-class sports infrastructure to support and enhance sports activities. "The sports budget, which was Rs 2.5 crore before 2002, has risen to over Rs 352 crore in 2024. From having only 3 sports complexes in 2002, Gujarat now has 24 district-level sports complexes in 22 districts, 3 taluka sports complexes, and a high-performance centre in Nadiad. Additionally, the Swarnim Gujarat Sports University provides training in both traditional and modern sports to countless athletes," the release stated. Khel Mahakumbh was launched in 2010 by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi to promote a sports culture in the state, discover emerging talent, and promote health awareness through sports. The release stated, that as Asia's largest grassroots talent identification and development program, Khel Mahakumbh has invigorated Gujaratis and identified talent from rural areas. Participants range from 9-year-olds to senior citizens. Over 53.66 lakh people participated in Khel Mahakumbh 2.0. The state government also awards financial incentives to the winners. (ANI)
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