2012 turned out to be the remarkable for sports in MP
Bhopal: Year 2012 turned out to be remarkable for sports in Madhya Pradesh. Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup Hockey Tournament held at international level at Bhopal and concluded with impressive laser show at the end of the year was one of the major achievements by the state in sports. During the year, players of State Sports Academies created a new history by winning 33 international medals. The Sports Department hosted a number of major sports events. As many as 554 contractual posts were also created in the department.
State’s players secured top positions in a number of sports competitions in the country. Madhya Pradesh became national champion in canoeing, karate and Taekwondo. Academy’s Rahul Pasi became national champion in senior boxing, Asha Roka in sub-junior women’s boxing and Amit Pilania in national shooting championship.
Historic Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup Hockey Tournament held
On the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, prestigious Obaidullah Khan Gold Cup Hockey Tournament was organised at international level. It was participated by teams from Malaysia and New Zealand. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan increased prize money of the tournament from Rs. 11 lakh to Rs. 21 lakh for the winners, Rs. 10 lakh for the runners-up, Rs. 5 lakh for the team standing third and Rs. 2 lakh for fourth team. Besides, announcement was also made to increase the prize money of the tournament to Rs. 51 lakh this year. With Chief Minister’s announcement, the tournament has become the biggest prize-carrying sports event in the country.
Record number of medals at international level
During last year, 55 players of state’s sports academies represented the country at international level in various sports. They also won 33 medals including 9 golds.
Madhya Pradesh pioneer in martial arts
Record-breaking performances were put in by state’s martial art players at international level. Players of the state, which has emerged overall national champion twice, won 7 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals at international level. Besides, shooters also won two silver and 2 bronze medals at international level.
State’s players entered semi-final of the Senior Women’s Hockey Championship. Women players continued their dominance in Taekwondo West Zone Championship by winning maximum number of medals.
Increased prizes for medal winners: At the initiative of Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, prize amount for medal winners of the state in Ranchi National Games was doubled. The players had won maximum 102 at Ranchi Games.
Madhya Pradesh champion in sub-junior nationals: The team of Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy won the National Sub-Junior Women’s Hockey Competition for second time by beating hosts Haryana 3-1. Women’s hockey team also cornered glory at PICA National Women’ Games at Gurgaon by finishing runners-up. State’s men’s hockey team also finished as runners-up at Sub-Junior National Hockey Championship at Rohtak.
Shiverndra’s participation in Olympics: Gwalior’s hockey player Shivendra was the lone player from Madhya Pradesh who represented Indian in London Olympics-2012.
New dimensions of year 2012: Among major achievements during year 2012 is the constitution of Madhya Pradesh Youth Commission and Sports Authority, doubling of prize money for national level sports, constitution of Mukhyamantri Khiladi Kalyan Kosh, doubling of amount for Eklavya, Vikram, Vishwamitra and Lifetime Achievement awards and framing of rules for sports associations. State academies’ players won 33 medals at the international level, 236 in national championships and 197 medals at the state-level.
