Good Sports Competitions Are Essential for Grooming Top Athletes – CM Devendra Fadnavis

Inauguration of the Chief Minister’s Cup All India Invitational Kabaddi Tournament

Proud Moment for Maharashtra as a Large Number of Kabaddi Players Participate; Renowned Athletes from Across the Country Compete

Nagpur : Kabaddi, traditionally played at the village level, has now captured global attention. Indian kabaddi players have dominated international competitions, winning the most titles, with Maharashtra’s players playing a significant role. This is a matter of great pride for us, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the Chief Minister’s Cup All India Invitational Kabaddi Tournament organized by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and Lakshyavedh Foundation at the Late Ratan Tata Complex, Lakshyavedh Ground, Narendra Nagar. The event was attended by actor Swapnil Joshi, MLA Pravin Datke, Padma Shri Dr. Vikas Mahatme, Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Dr. Abhijit Chaudhary, Additional Commissioner Ajay Charathankar, and other dignitaries.

CM Fadnavis emphasized that sports competitions play a crucial role in nurturing skilled athletes. Such events provide players with opportunities to showcase their abilities and learn new skills. To boost the sports sector, the Maharashtra government is committed to providing world-class sports facilities. After Pune, Nagpur’s Mankapur Sports Complex is also being upgraded to international standards, he said.

He further noted that the rise of Pro Kabaddi League and other competitions has given kabaddi players a major platform. The Chief Minister’s Cup tournament will significantly contribute to this effort. He expressed confidence that participating players would showcase their best skills and make the tournament a grand success.

Actor Swapnil Joshi praised the enthusiasm and scale of the event, stating that such a grand kabaddi tournament in Nagpur highlights the city’s uniqueness. He commended CM Fadnavis for his continuous support of traditional Indian sports.

Municipal Commissioner Dr. Abhijit Chaudhary announced that eight schools in Nagpur will soon have new playgrounds, while an Excellence Center for Table Tennis is being set up in Pratap Nagar. Additionally, a world-class lawn tennis court will be developed at the Ram Nagar ground to encourage more sports activities, including for differently-abled athletes.

Major Highlights of the Tournament

• The competition, running until March 2, features 20 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams.
• Top players from across India are participating, including:
  • Men’s Category: Suresh Singh (U Mumba), Gaurav Kumar, Haresh Kumar, Bhanu Tomar (UP Yoddha), Vishal Chaudhary (Puneri Paltan), Vinay Tewatia (Haryana Steelers), Sahul Kumar (Jaipur Pink Panthers), and Sandesh Deshmukh (Khelo India).
  • Women’s Category: International players like Sapna Khatiya, Pranjal, Sapna, and Apeksha Takle.

The tournament is approved by the All India Kabaddi Federation and is being conducted under the guidance of the Nagpur District Kabaddi Association. The event’s referees include Sunil Chintalwar as the inspector and Sachin Suryavanshi as the convenor.

Prize Money

• Men’s Category:
  • Winner: ₹2,51,000
  • Runner-up: ₹1,51,000
  • Third Place: ₹1,01,000
• Women’s Category:
  • Winner: ₹1,51,000
  • Runner-up: ₹1,01,000
  • Third Place: ₹71,000

Participating Teams

Men’s Teams:
Central Railway Mumbai, TMC Thane, Rupali Jewelers Mumbai, Hinduja Hospital Mumbai, BMTC Bengaluru, Yuva Paltan Pune, Sai Gujarat, Star Academy Jabalpur, West Bengal State, Haryana State, Andhra Pradesh State, Yuva Ekta Lakhiti UP, Karnataka State, Jharkhand State, Chhattisgarh State, Baramati Sports, ND Sports Delhi, Jai Hind Varora, Rajput Sports Janefal.

Women’s Teams:
Central Railway, Western Railway, Sai Gujarat, Delhi Academy, Chhattisgarh State, West Bengal State, Tamil Nadu State, TMC Thane, Baramati Sports, Pendhra Road Chhattisgarh, Yuva Kalyan Chhindwara, Sangli Sports, Jain Club Varora, Range Police Nagpur, Nagpur District, Star Academy Jabalpur.

Financial Support for 74 Players Under Udaan Sports Promotion Scheme

The Nagpur Municipal Corporation has provided financial assistance of ₹57.89 lakh to 74 athletes who have excelled at the national and international levels. The financial aid was distributed by CM Fadnavis, benefiting athletes from various categories, including archery, chess, badminton, and more.

• ₹2 lakh each for 10 international medalists
• ₹1 lakh each for 2 international participants
• ₹1 lakh each for 15 national medalists
• ₹21,000 each for 9 national-level participants
• ₹50,000 each for 38 National Championship players

Renowned athletes such as international archer Ojas Devtale, chess player Divya Deshmukh, and badminton players Malvika Bansod and Raunak Sadhwani were among the beneficiaries.