State-Level Sports Competitions to Strengthen Maharashtra’s Sporting Tradition – Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar

Mumbai, March 2026 : A decision has been taken to organise major state-level sports competitions across Maharashtra to further strengthen the state’s rich sporting tradition. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Trophy State-Level Volleyball Tournament will be held at Ambernath, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Trophy State-Level Kabaddi Tournament at Nagpur, the Late Khashaba Jadhav Trophy State-Level Wrestling Tournament at Beed, and the Late Bhai Nerurkar Trophy State-Level Kho-Kho Tournament at Baramati. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare Sunetra Ajit Pawar.

A review meeting regarding the organisation of various state-level sports competitions for the year 2025–26 was held at the Sahyadri State Guest House under her chairmanship. The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary of the Sports Department Sanjay Khandare, Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, Commissioner of Sports and Youth Welfare Shetal Teli-Ugale, along with office-bearers of associations representing kabaddi, wrestling, volleyball, and kho-kho.

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar said that such state-level competitions are organised to promote sports culture in the state and to provide a wider platform for young athletes. She emphasised that organising these competitions is crucial for strengthening the sports ecosystem in Maharashtra. She assured that the government is committed to providing equal opportunities to athletes from both rural and urban areas, ensuring access to quality facilities, and offering the necessary platform to excel at the national level.

She further stated that these state-level tournaments will give emerging players an opportunity to prove their talent and will foster a competitive sporting environment. This will further reinforce Maharashtra’s rich sporting heritage and help the state produce more athletes of national and international calibre in the future, she added.