Chhattisgarh emerges overall champions in AIFSM-2024

 

 

Chhattisgarh emerged overall champions in the 27th All India Forest Sports Meet (AIFSM)-2024, which concluded at Swami Vivekananda Stadium Kota in the State Capital on Sunday. Chhattisgarh obtained total 737 points by winning 175 medals including 98 gold, 44 silver and 33 bronze medals in the tournament. Kerala secured second position by bagging 110 medals including 43 gold, 39 silver and 28 bronze in the tournament. Kerala obtained 409 points in the tournament. Madhya Pradesh secured third position by winning 91 medals including 38 gold, 27 silver and 26 bronze medals in the tournament. Speaker of Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Dr Raman Singh was the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the tournament. Chhattisgarh Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap presided over the function. Indian shooter and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Manu Bhaker was present as a special invitee in the closing ceremony of the tournament.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh congratulated the players of winner, first runner up and second runner up teams. In her address, Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker also congratulated the winners. Chhattisgarh Forest and Climate Change Department Minister Kedar Kashyap and Chhattisgarh Uttarakhand Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal also addressed the closing ceremony. Uttarakhand Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal announced that 28th AIFSM would be organised in Uttarakhand. Nodal Officer of the tournament Shalini Raina handed over the flag to Uttarakhand Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Forces) V Sreenivasa Rao gave the welcome address and he thanked all the participants and the officers of the Forest Department for successfully organising the event in the stae. Chief Conservator of Forests and nodal officer of the event Shalini Raina proposed the vote of thanks. A food court was set up at Science College Ground in the state capital where food was arranged for all the players and sports officials.

 

Bollywood singer Suvarna Tiwari enthralled the audience in the concluding ceremony of the tournament. Apart from this, the participants were enthralled by the performance of the famous Bastar Band and Chhattisgarh’s folk song Lorik Chanda. The officers of the Forest Department were also honoured in the function. The AIFSM is being organised since 1992. 2,916 players, including 2,331 men and 585 women, from 29 states and eight union territories and six forest institutions participated in the tournament. 26 sports across 300 events were conducted at 16 venues of Raipur city. The five-day AIFSM, which began in the state capital on October 16, concluded in the state capital on Sunday. 

 

 

Indian shooter and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Manu Bhaker said that she was delighted to participate in concluding ceremony of the All India Forest Sports Meet. Talking to mediapersons here on Sunday, Manu Bhaker said, “I extend my best wishes to all the participants of the tournament. I congratulate all the winners. But the looser should not lose their confidence and they must do hard work for winning next tournament. One can enjoy the win after losing the game. In future, Chhattisgarh will produce many good players.” Replying to a query on wildlife of Chhattisgarh, Manu Bhaker said that she had visited the Barnawapara Sanctuary today and she had enjoyed the sighting of the wildlife. There is around 44 per cent forest cover in Chhattisgarh, she said. Asked on another query, the Indian shooter said that Indian players are moving in right direction and the India would win more medals in upcoming Olympics.