Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar today inaugurated 31st Sub Junior Kho-Kho Competition at Indira Stadium in District Una. He said that a sport should be played with the spirit of the game and should not get discouraged by defeat. It is necessary that the players play with the spirit of sportsmanship. He said that Kho-Kho is a traditional Indian sport, which needs to be promoted. While congratulating the Himachal Pradesh Kho-Kho Federation for successfully organizing the competition, Arlekar said that teams from 27 states across the country were participating in the competition.
Organizers were making all out efforts to provide better facilities to all the teams, players and office bearers accompanying the teams. The Governor said that sports enhance physical and mental abilities. He urged the youth to participate in sports activities, as the experience received in field of sports teaches an important lesson to move forward in life. Participation in sports competitions provides an opportunity to children to nurture their talents. The Governor also honoured Nishad Kumar, the silver medal winner in Tokyo Paralympics. He said that Nishad has brought laurels to the entire country and his success would motivate the future generation to participate in sports. Arlekar encouraged the players participating and gave best wishes for the competition.
Chairman, 6th State Finance Commission, Satpal Singh Satti said that Himachal Pradesh is a peaceful state, which is famous for its hospitality and the people of the state are soft spoken and friendly. He said that the land of Una has given many great players. Hockey players, Padmashree awardees Charanjit Singh and Deepak Thakur were from Una. Recently, Nishad Kumar has also enhanced the pride of the country by winning a silver medal in Tokyo Paralympics. He said that Himachal Pradesh is also known as ‘Veer Bhoomi’ as the country’s first Param Vir Chakra was won by Major Somnath Sharma, a brave son of Himachal Pradesh. Earlier, Chairman, Himachal Pradesh Kho-Kho Association, Rakesh Thakur welcomed the Governor and other guests.
As many as 612 players were participating in the competition. The first match in the boys’ section was played between the team of Goa and Chhattisgarh. Whereas in the girls’ section, the first match was between Kolhapur and Kerala. Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Virender Kanwar, HPSIDC Vice President Prof. Ram Kumar, State President Abhishek Thakur, General Secretary of Kho-Kho Federation India M.S. Tyagi, Zilla Parishad President Neelam Kumari, Vice President Krishna Pal Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Raghav Sharma and SP Arjit Sen Thakur, office bearers of various Kho-Kho associations and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
