Chief Minister inaugurates Obaidullah Khan Heritage Hockey Tournament
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Bhopal was once a hockey nursery, we want to establish Bhopal as a hockey nursery again. Hockey is the pride of our country, the pride of Bhopal as well as honour of the people of India. There was a time when if India bagged medals in the Olympics, it was only in hockey. Our players are full of enthusiasm, if they are provided with the right resources and the best coaches, then India can once again be lead in hockey.
Chouhan was addressing the inaugural ceremony of Obaidullah Khan Heritage Cup Hockey Tournament 2022. Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia was also present in the inaugural ceremony of this tournament held at Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium. Chouhan also planted two saplings of Spice in the stadium premises. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan unveiled the trophy of Obaidullah Khan Heritage Cup and also acquainted with the participating teams of the hockey tournament.
The Chief Minister said that the state government will not allow any shortage in sports facilities. All possible arrangements will be made for the convenience of resources, coaches and players. The Obaidullah Khan Cup was established in 1931. It got discontinued once, later it was also interrupted due to Corona. Chouhan said that my heart is full of joy and happiness on the resumption of this tournament. This tournament in Bhopal will run from March 21 to 27 and will prove to be important in taking hockey to new heights once again.
Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia said that due to the initiative of Chouhan, the Obaidullah Khan Heritage Cup hockey tournament could be resumed. Five astroturfs are being set up in Bhopal. Every effort will be made to revive Bhopal as a hockey hub. The benefit of the experience of past international players will also be taken.
The Chief Minister honoured winner of silver medal in EP event in Asian Fencing Championship held at Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Pragya Singh and Bronze medalist Aryan Sen, Aman Singh Bisht bronze medal winner and Anand Yadav who received silver medal in Asian Youth Boxing Championship held in Jordan, Gold Medalist Kumari Ritika Dangi and Kumari Neha Thakur bronze medalist in 4.7 Laser event of the Asian Sailing Championships held in Abu Dhabi.
Chouhan felicitated Madhya Pradesh’s badminton player Gauranshi Sharma and tennis player Dhananjay Dubey selected for Deaflympics, Brazil 2022 by presenting them a symbolic cheque of Rs one lakh each. Principal Secretary Sports and Youth Welfare Deepti Gaur Mukherjee, Director Sports and Youth Welfare Ravi Kumar Gupta, famous Olympian hockey player Inam-ur-Rahman, Jalaluddin, Coach of Madhya Pradesh State Hockey Academy, Sameer Daad besides senior players and officials were present.
