Grand inauguration of MP Khel Mahakumbh 3.0, 75,000 players will participate: Anurag Thakur

Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports, Honorable Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, once again providing a great platform to the young sports talents in Hamirpur, today i.e. on 05 March 2024, on 05 March 2024, the grand inauguration of MP Khel Mahakumbh 3.0 at Luhnu Cricket Ground, Bilaspur. Did. Indian cricket team captain Mr. Rohit Sharma and Indian cricket team coach Mr. Rahul Dravid were present as chief guests on this occasion. Apart from this, Lakhwinder Singh Wadali, Kuldeep Sharma “Naughty King”, “Pines of Harmony” Himachal Police Band and Aparshakti Khurana also graced the inauguration ceremony. During the inauguration program of MP Khel Mahakumbh, Luhanu Maidan of Bilaspur was bathed in spectacular fireworks. On this occasion, Bilaspur BJP District President Mr. Swatantra Namaran, former MP and senior BJP leader Mr. Suresh Chandel, Una MLA Mr. Satpal Satti ji, Naina Devi MLA Mr. Randhir Sharma, Bilaspur MLA Mr. Trilok Jamwal, Jhanduta MLA Mr. JR Katwal, former Ghumarwin MLA Shri Rajendra Garg, Hamirpur Lok Sabha in-charge Shri Sumit Sharma and State General Secretary Shri Narendra Attri were also present.

Inaugurating the Khel Mahakumbh grandly, Shri Anurag Thakur said, “Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji says that if you play, you will blossom. And that is why the MP Khel Mahakumbh event is not only providing a platform to the talents of my Hamirpur parliamentary constituency but also giving them national and international exposure.” It is also giving an opportunity to shine at the national level. Sansad Khel Mahakumbh has become the biggest platform for the players of my Hamirpur parliamentary constituency to play, blossom and showcase their talent. After two successful editions, today at the Luhanu ground in Bilaspur, the players of the cricket world Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 3.0 was grandly inaugurated in the dignified presence of big stars Shri Rahul Dravid and Shri Rohit Sharma and other dignitaries. In the first edition of Sansad Khel Mahakumbh, 40,000 people had participated and in the second edition, 45,000 people had participated in it. This time we have invited 75,000 players. The aim of participation has been set. I extend my best wishes to all the players who will be a part of the event.”

Shri Anurag Thakur said, “When I gave the presentation of my Khel Mahakumbh to Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he had said that when you can do it, other MPs can also do it in their respective Lok Sabha. And this Prime Minister It is the inspiration of Shri Narendra Modi ji that today about 300 MPs across the country are organizing MP Khel Mahakumbh in their respective areas. Today, the popularity of MP Khel Mahakumbh is so much that our youth today are completely free from drugs and are playing sports. He is moving forward to make his career in I. He knows that by pursuing sports, he will remain fit in both body and mind and will be able to contribute to the progress of his family as well as the country.”

Giving further information about Luhnu Cricket Ground, Shri Anurag Thakur said, “When we started building this ground, a lot of questions were raised that when the water rises, four to four to five feet of water gets accumulated here. But we were determined and built the ground here. Athletic track and hockey ground were also built above. We have also given SAI’s Center for Excellence here. And now we are soon going to build a new indoor stadium here so that it becomes a hub of sports. Similarly, we made three grounds in Una. In just 9 months, we made a cricket ground in Nadaun, where Ranji Trophy matches are held. And in Dharamshala, which was a 300 feet mountain, we made a cricket stadium in just one and a half years. People say They thought that the match would not take place here because there is no hotel, no airport, no boundary wall here. But we struggled and today the most beautiful cricket stadium in the world is in Dharamshala.”

Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid looked very happy after seeing this grand event being organized in Hamirpur parliamentary constituency and along with inaugurating the Khel Mahakumbh, they also encouraged the young talents.

Speaking about Khel Mahakumbh, Shri Rahul Dravid said, “Khel Mahakumbh is a good initiative by Shri Anurag Thakur to promote the players. As much as I have seen this program, it is a unique model of giving a platform to the players at the grassroots level, increasing competition among them and honing their talent, which cannot be appreciated enough. Through such events, the country gets future players who carry the flag of India high in international competitions. I convey my best wishes to Anurag Thakur ji and all the players participating in this event.”

Describing this mega sports program organized by Anurag Thakur as a very meaningful initiative for the youth, Mr. Rohit Sharma said, “Such events groom the players of the future and add to the sports talent of India. When such programs are organized at the grassroots level, So there will be an increase of young players in the country who will make us leaders in all other sports disciplines along with cricket. I am happy to see this event and the hospitality of Shri Anurag Thakur ji.”

Shri Anurag Thakur further giving the sports disciplines included in the event this time and other important information said, “This time volleyball, kabaddi, cricket, basketball and athletics have been included in the Khel Mahakumbh. Village/Panchayat level teams will be invited to participate in all sports disciplines. Separate categories will be created for both boys and girls to promote gender equality.”

Giving information about the previous editions of Khel Mahakumbh, Shri Anurag Thakur said, “More than 1400 teams participated in the Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 1.0 held in 2018 in which more than 42,700 youth participated in 5 sports disciplines (Basketball, Volleyball, Football, Kabaddi and Cricket). It involved players from more than 800 panchayats and more than 5000 villages. Prize money of more than Rs 20 lakh was awarded to the participants.”

Giving information about the Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 2.0 organized in 2023, Shri Anurag Thakur said, “More than 2300 teams participated in it in which more than 45,700 youth showed their strength. More than 1000 girls were included in it. 7 sports disciplines in 2023 (Basketball, Volleyball, Football, Kabaddi, Cricket, Wrestling and Athletics) were included in which players from more than 800 panchayats and more than 5000 villages participated. Prize money of more than Rs 50 lakh was awarded to the participants. “