CM ANNOUNCES RAJIV GANDHI KHEL RATNA AWARD FOR PLAYERS IN RAJ

Jaipur: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday announced the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award for players in the state.

At the same time, he also announced to increase the amount of Guru Vashistha Award and Maharana Pratap Khel Award to Rs 5 lakh.

It may be noted that the central government has renamed the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

Speaking in a programme at the SMS stadium, Gehlot said that governments keep coming and going but changing names is not a good tradition.

The chief minister also dedicated various development works in the SMS stadium, interacted with sportspersons and highlighted achievements of his govt in field of sports.

Appreciating the initiative of Rural Olympics starting from 29 August, he said that Rajasthan is 1st state where sports will be played in villages and it will create a conducive environment for sports in rural areas.

More than 27 lakh players of different age groups will participate in the rural Olympics.

Gehlot said that the state government is strengthening infrastructure for sports and promoting sportspersons.

On Sports Minister Ashok Chandna’s demand to make the sports council a department, the CM suggested Chandna and Sports Council chairperson Krishna Poonia to sit together and hold discussion and said he will see what can be done in the next budget.

Gehlot said that about 229 players who have excelled in Rajasthan have been given appointments in government services under the outof-turn policy. He informed that Arjun and Dronacharya awardees will get sports person pension along with medal winners of Olympic, Para Olympic, Asian and Commonwealth Games.

He said that an important decision was taken to allot 25 bighas of land free of cost to the Olympic and Para Olympic medal winners.