CHIEF Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that emphasis is being given on providing quality infrastructure to promote sports in Nagpur. Fadnavis, speaking during the concluding function of the week-long Khasdar Krida Mahotsav, expressed confidence that these facilities will give a major boost to the creation of manpower in the sports sector. The program was organised at Kavivarya Suresh Bhat Hall. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of State for Youth Welfare and Sports Raksha Khadse, Guardian Minister C h a n d r a s h e k h a r Bawankule, MLA Krishna Khopde, MLA Pravin Datke, MLA Sanjay Bhende, newly-elected MLC Arun Lakhani, Mayor Nita Thakre, KKM Chairman Sandip Joshi, former MP Dr Vikas Mahatme, NMC Ruling Party Leader Narendra Borkar and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Quality infrastructure is being built to further promote sports culture in Nagpur. The country’s most modern sports complex is being built in Mankapur. World sports competitions can also be organised there.

 

A sports university is also being built. Overall, these facilities will help in creating manpower in the sports sector, the Chief Minister said. The next edition of KKM will be organised on Vidarbha level, declared Gadkari. Efforts will be made to ensure that over one lakh players participate in it, Gadkari added. Bawankule informed that a provision of about Rs 45 crore has been made for sports facilities in Nagpur district and planning is being done in this regard. He congratulated the organising committee for successfully organising the event. Khasdar Krida Bhushan Award were presented to 14 sportspersons: Volleyball: Karmanya Chilkulwar, Athletics: Anjali Madavi, Kho-Kho: Siddhesh Satpute, Softball: Urvashi Saneshwar, Handball: Harpreet Singh Randhawa, Kabaddi: Mangala Dhabale, Skating: Aditi Dhande, Chess: Shraddha Bajaj, Wrestling: Nandini Sahu, Badminton: Nishika Gokhe, Yogasana: Bharat Delikar, Basketball: Gunjan Mantri, Gymnastics: Avani Rathod, Swimming: Aditri Payasi. This year, some special awards were also presented. Best Organiser Award went to Vijay Dangre, Best Coach Award was bagged by Ravindra Tong while the ‘Krida Sewak’ award went to Umesh Naidu. Young Muslim Football Club was declared as Best Sports Association. NEXT KKM AT VIDARBHA LEVEL: UNION MINISTER GADKARI; RS 45 CRORES FOR SPORTS DEVELOPMENT: BAWANKULE; KHASDAR KRIDA BHUSHAN, SPECIAL AWARDS PRESENTED DURING CLOSING CEREMONY Playback singer and musician Shanmukha Priya who gained national prominence as a finaliston Indian Idol Season 12, entertained the gathering.