₹150 Crore Fund for Development of Small Grounds in Nagpur – CM Devendra Fadnavis

Concluding Ceremony of MP Sports Festival in the Presence of the Chief Minister

Nagpur : The organization of the MP Sports Festival has accelerated Nagpur’s progress in the field of sports. With a ₹700 crore investment, the reconstruction of the Mankapur Sports Complex will provide international-standard sports facilities within the next two years. Additionally, under the guidance of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, small sports grounds in the city will be developed to support local athletes. The Maharashtra government will allocate ₹150 crore for this initiative, announced Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today.

Speaking as the chief guest at the concluding ceremony of the MP Sports Festival at Yashwant Stadium, CM Fadnavis highlighted how Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has provided a significant platform for athletes from Nagpur and Vidarbha through this festival. He proudly noted that winners across 58 sports categories have received over 12,000 medals. The MP Sports Festival and the MP Cultural Festival are helping talented artists and athletes from Vidarbha gain national and international recognition.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that ₹700 crore has been allocated for redeveloping Mankapur Divisional Sports Complex, ensuring necessary facilities for hosting Olympic-level and international competitions in the city.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized that the MP Sports Festival has been organized for the past seven years to provide opportunities for athletes, aid in their personality development, and foster leadership skills. He recalled that CM Fadnavis had previously allocated ₹100 crore for developing sports grounds in the city and expressed hope that additional funds would be provided for further improvements.

During the event, CM Fadnavis presented the ‘Kreeda Maharshi’, ‘Kreeda Prashikshak’, and ‘Kreeda Bhushan’ awards to outstanding athletes and coaches. Paralympic athlete Sheetal Devi and cricketer Mohit Sharma also addressed the gathering. MP Sports Festival convener Sandeep Joshi delivered the introductory remarks.

Now in its seventh edition, the MP Sports Festival 2025 commenced on January 12, 2025, and spanned 21 days. The festival saw 77,663 participants competing across 58 sports categories at 69 venues in Nagpur. A total of ₹1.5 crore in prizes and 12,317 medals were awarded to winners.