Hockey is not getting the honour it should have been given: Shivraj Singh
BHOPAL (MPINFO): Madhya Pradesh government stands by hockey. Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that no fund crunch will be allowed to come in the way of improvement of our national game hockey.
The Union Government should hand over responsibility of hockey to Madhya Pradesh government. Bharat Ratna should be bestowed on hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand. Chief Minister Chouhan was addressing a grand felicitation function of Indian hockey players here on Monday.
At the unique function of hockey luminaries held at CM’s residence, former Olympians, members of India team winning Champions Trophy in 2011 and members of Madhya Pradesh Women’s Hockey Academy teams that won junior and senior national championships were felicitated.
Chouhan said that hockey is the soul of Indian sports. Hockey is not getting the honour it should have been given.
Major Dhyan Chand had won three Olympics gold medals for India. The world has recognised his unique style of playing.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that IPL has diverted the attention of players from this original game. He reiterated that incentive will be given to best performing hockey players. Madhya Pradesh government will undertake every step for helping hockey get an prideful place.
Madhya Pradesh is ready to bear the responsibility of making hockey a leading sport. He said that there should be not politics in sports. He said that an international-level museum will be established in the memory of Major Dhyan Chand.
Chouhan said that the State Government will bear all the expenses on the treatment of Betul’s hockey player Hemant who is suffering from cancer. Former Olympians have also contributed Rs. 60 thousand for his treatment. At the outset, Director Sports Dr. Shailendra Shrivastava delivered the welcome address.
CM handed over appointment letters for government service to hockey players Amardeep, Shalu Raikwar, Anjali Koshthha, Anupam Lonekar, Shareef Khan and Sindhya.
Hockey Olympian Gurbax Singh said that such a felicitation of hockey in Madhya Pradesh is a unique event. Chief Ministers of other states should also emulate the efforts being made by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister for restoring the glory of hockey.
