The Khelo India Academy selected 50 tribal archers from the annual national sports meet of the Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram held in Guwahati
Guwahati: The 21st Rashtriya Khel Mahotsav of Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram concluded at Lakshmibai National Sports Training Institute on December 29. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju addressed the valedictory ceremony and honoured the winners. A total of 844 tribal sportspersons from 33 Prants joined the mega sports event. Assam topped the medal tally with 26 medals. 50 Archers were selected for Khelo India Academy.
Union Minister of State for Home Shri Kiren Rijiju addressing the Meet
Addressing the gathering, Shri Kiren Rijiju said the quality in sports would witness an increase when the social mindset towards the sports changes. This will also help the country win more medals in the international events like Olympics. “I believe the tribal sportspersons have talent and they will earn laurels for the nation if they get proper training. The drives like Khela India will show good results in coming days,” he said.
The valedictory ceremony witnessed the presence of national president of Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram Shri Jagdeoram Oraon, director of Sports Authority of India (SAI) Dr Subhash Basumtari, international athlete Pokhila Ingtipi from Karbianglong and president of Janjati Dharma Sanskriti Surakasha Manch Shri Jaleshwar Brahma.
Tribal archers from various parts of the country showing their talent at the Sports Meet
At the inaugural session, as the traditional lamp was being lit, the Dimasa tribals recited their traditional prayer. The dance performances by Rabha and Tiva tribals were very touching. Assam Chief Minister Shri Sarbanand Sonowal was the chief guest at the inaugural session on December 27. He expressed happiness over the holding of the national event in Guwahati. The youth from Bodo and Naga tribes presented wrestling at the inaugural session.
VP of the ABVKA Shri Kripa Prasad Singh felicitating the winners
Union Minister Shri Piyush Goel also reached Guwahati to motivate the tribal youth on December 29. He shared his experience of the national sports event organised in Ranchi. The three-day event witnessed a marathon of 21 and 14 kms. Apart from the officials of SAI many experts of sports were also present. An exhibition was also held at the event premises. In the evening of December 29, all the participants were provided with homemade meals brought from 400 families of Guwahati. Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Shri Pema Khandu also joined the sportspersons during the dinner.
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