Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Felicitates International Lacrosse Players in Udaipur, Encourages Tribal Sporting Talent

Jaipur, July 2026 : Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durga Das Uikey felicitated international lacrosse players from Rajasthan’s tribal region during his visit to Udaipur, praising their outstanding achievements and encouraging them to continue bringing laurels to the country.

The minister met Sunita Meena, captain of the Indian women’s lacrosse team, and Neeraj Batra, national coach, appreciating their significant contribution to the sport and their role in promoting lacrosse among tribal youth.

Highlighting India’s impressive performance at the Asian Lacrosse Games held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Uikey especially lauded Mohanlal Gameti, the tournament’s highest scorer, for his exceptional courage and determination.

The minister recalled that during India’s match against Iraq, Mohanlal sustained a serious chin injury requiring nine stitches. Despite the injury and associated medical risks, he returned to the field for the crucial match against Pakistan, displaying remarkable bravery, confidence, and patriotism. His outstanding performance, including scoring the highest number of goals, played a decisive role in India’s historic victory and helped the team clinch the gold medal.

Uikey said Mohanlal’s perseverance and commitment would inspire generations of young athletes across the country.

On the occasion, Rajasthan Tribal Area Development Minister Babulal Kharadi said Rajasthan has emerged as one of India’s leading centres for lacrosse, with players from the tribal areas of Udaipur consistently excelling at national and international competitions.

He expressed confidence that the Rajasthan Government would soon include lacrosse in the state’s sports policy, paving the way for improved employment opportunities and better support for athletes.

Udaipur MP Dr. Mannalal Rawat encouraged the players to set their sights on representing India at the Olympic Games and assured them that the Central Government remains committed to supporting talented sportspersons in every possible way.

Rajya Sabha MP Chunnilal Garasia, social worker Gajpal Singh Rathore, and Pushkar Teli also felicitated the players and extended their best wishes for their future success.

During the programme, Udaipur Divisional Commissioner and lacrosse promoter Pragya Kevalramani highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the Rajasthan Government, local public representatives, and the district administration to promote sports among tribal youth.

She said that Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited (RSMML) has been providing financial assistance to ensure that talented players from the state are able to participate in national and international tournaments. The support, she added, has enabled many promising athletes from tribal communities to showcase their abilities on larger platforms and pursue successful sporting careers.