Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that the state government is continuously organised high level sports competitions for the promotion of sports and sportspersons, which has created a positive atmosphere for sports in the state for the first time since independence and a new sports culture has developed.
Gehlot was addressing the inaugural function of the State Level Tribal Sports Competition at Gandhi Ground in Udaipur. Speaking on the occasion, he said that for the first time, 30 lakh sportspersons, including 10 lakh women, participated in the Rajiv Gandhi Rural Olympic Games. As many as 2.25 lakh teams were formed in these games and this created an excellent environment for sports in rural areas. After the Rural Olympics, the Urban Olympic Games are now starting from January 26. The work of identifying sports talent from such events is being done.
The Chief Minister said that in order to encourage sports, the state government has taken decisions to make out-of-turn appointments to medal winners as well as 2 percent reservation in government jobs. The prize money of sportspersons who have won medals in international competitions has been increased to Rs 3 crore. The government is working to provide good facilities, coaches and environment to the identified talents through sports events and training camps, so that they can perform well at the national and international level.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister also announced to open sports schools in Udaipur on the lines of Jaipur and Jodhpur, so that the sports talent of the area will get high level training from childhood. He also announced the launch of a month-long special summer training camp for tribal sportspersons.
At the beginning of the program, the Chief Minister formally inaugurated the competition by hoisting the flag. The players marched past and took oath. The Chief Minister also reached among the players after the program and encouraged the players by targeting them with arrow command.
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