5.5 lakh players have so far got themselves registered for the Khel Mahakumbh-2017

Chandigarh, Sept 26 – As many as 5.5 lakh players have so far got themselves registered for the Khel Mahakumbh-2017 which is going to be the biggest function in the history of Haryana. As a part of the Swarna Jayanti Celebrations of the state, the Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal will inaugurate the Khel Mahakumbh at Karan Stadium in Karnal on September 27, 2012 at 4p.m.
This was disclosed by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Dr. K.K. Khandelwal while addressing a press conference regarding Khel Mahakumbh, here today.
He said that around 10,000 players would participate in the march past ceremony in the inaugural function which would be presided over by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Mr. Anil Vij. The inaugural ceremony would be followed by cultural evening. He said that the concluding function of Khel Mahakumbh would be held at Mahavir Stadium in Hisar on October 31, 2017 and it would also be the last function of Swarna Jayanti Celebrations.
Dr. Khandelwal said that Khel Mahakumbh has been divided into two phases, the district level and the state level. Keeping in view the interests of sports persons in rural areas of the state, Circle Kabaddi and Tug of War have also been included in the sports at both the district and state level phases. Cycling has also been included in the sports events. The district level phase, which would start from September 27 and continue till October 3, would be held in 23 sports. Similarly, the state level phase, which would be held between October 5 and 22, would be held in 25 sports. He said that the sports competitions would be held in five categories including under-14, under-17, open category, above 40 and above 60. He said that Shooting and Taekwondo would also be organised at state level phase. For the first time, sports events for deaf and dumb, visually challenged, and para Olympic games would be organised.
He said that diet of Rs 100 per day would be given to players participating in district level sports events. Those players winning first, second and third positions in individual events at district level would be given cash prizes of Rs 2,000, Rs 1,500 and Rs 1,000, respectively. Similarly, those bagging first, second and third positions in team events would get cash prizes of Rs 1,500, Rs 1,000 and Rs 750, respectively.
The ACS said that diet of Rs 300 per day would be given to players participating in sports events at state level. He said that track suits would be given those players participating in march past. Those players winning first, second and third positions in individual events at state level would be given cash prizes of Rs 5,000, Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000, respectively. Similarly, those bagging first, second and third positions in team events at state level would get cash prizes of Rs 3,000, Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,000, respectively. He said that the cash awards would be Aadhaar linked and given to players through RTGS mode.
He said that the State Government has decided to honour Sardar Singh, Hockey Captain, by giving equal amount of cash prize of Rs 7.5 lakh as was given by the Central Government in the form of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
Dr. Khandelwal said that under the ‘Swarna Jayanti Khel Nurseries’ scheme, the State Government had decided to establish sports nurseries of all 25 sports in every district for both boys and girls, that is, 25 sports nurseries for boys and 25 for girls in each district. The first phase of the scheme had already been completed and sports nurseries of 10 sports have been established for both boys and girls in each district.
He said that during three years, the State Government had given cash prizes of about Rs 168 crore to 7,037 players. This year also the government would honour about 2,500 players with cash prizes of about Rs 40 crore.
Replying to a question regarding promoting awareness among players about ill effects of doping, he said that workshops were being organised in association with National Anti Doping Agency (NADA). He said that anti doping measures would also be adopted in sports events to be held at Khel Mahakumbh.
Others present on the occasion included, Director, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Mr. Jagdeep Singh, Convenor, Haryana Swarna Jayanti Celebrations Committee, Mr. Rajeev Sharma and Media Advisor to Chief Minister, Mr. Amit Arya.