Maharashtra Leading the Nation in Sports and Multiple Sectors – Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan

Award Winners Should Guide Young Athletes – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Pune – Maharashtra has emerged as a leader not only in industry, education, and social reform, but also in sports, stated Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan while presenting the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Awards. He emphasized the need to encourage children from an early age to participate in various sports to achieve success in international competitions.

The award distribution ceremony for the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Awards 2022–23 and 2023–24 was held at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM and Pune Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar, Sports Minister Dattatraya Bharane, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Anna Bansode, MLAs Uma Khapre, Amit Gorkhe, Shankar Jagtap, Prashant Bamb, Additional Chief Secretary of the Sports Department Anil Diggikar, Sports and Youth Services Commissioner Hiralal Sonawane, and Divisional Commissioner Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar were present.

Veteran international badminton player Pradeep Gandhe was honoured with the 2022–23 Lifetime Achievement Award, while former national kabaddi player and organizer Shakuntala Khatawkar received the same honour for 2023–24.

Congratulating both awardees, Governor Radhakrishnan noted the increasing competitiveness in sports, both physically and technically. He stressed that success in global competitions like the Commonwealth, Asian Games, and Olympics depends on early encouragement. Schools and parents must support children’s involvement in sports.

He expressed delight that many girls are excelling in various disciplines and winning medals. He also praised para-athletes for their impressive performances on national and international stages in recent years. With growing infrastructure and support, he said, Maharashtra can aim for dominance across all sports categories.

He highlighted that open spaces are limited in cities like Mumbai and Pune. Therefore, schools and colleges should collaborate with local grounds and sports clubs to provide facilities. Inter-university sports events are being encouraged, and sports complexes have been established in every district to improve infrastructure.

The Governor also emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is working towards hosting the 2036 Olympics. Maharashtra should take the lead in preparing athletes for it. He called for a national vision of winning the most medals at the Olympics alongside the goal of building a “Developed India.”

Awardees Should Inspire Future Generations – CM Fadnavis

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the association of the awards with the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj gives the recognition great significance. He urged awardees—athletes, coaches, and former players—to contribute wholeheartedly to the development of sports and athletes in Maharashtra. Just as Chhatrapati Shivaji led Maharashtra, today’s sportspersons must guide the next generation. He encouraged a collective commitment to making Maharashtra number one across all sports.

He praised Pradeep Gandhe for nurturing generations of badminton players and establishing a strong badminton culture in Maharashtra. He also lauded Shakuntala Khatawkar’s historic feat of playing 106 national-level kabaddi matches from 1979 to 1982, calling it exceptional and inspiring.

CM Fadnavis said the state has resumed its journey of winning medals. However, there’s now a need to convert national-level success into international medal wins. He mentioned that the state has allowed players to travel with their coaches and physiotherapists, recognizing the importance of complete support in today’s competitive sports environment.

He added that the award amounts for winners at national and international levels have been significantly increased to ensure due recognition. The government is also working to create top-notch sports infrastructure at the taluka (sub-district) level.

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar Commits Greater Support to Sports

Deputy CM Ajit Pawar congratulated the awardees for their dedication, talent, and contribution to the state and the country. He expressed pride in presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Gandhe and Khatawkar, especially noting that for the first time, a woman coach has received this prestigious honour. He directed that future awards be distributed in the same year for which they are intended.

He assured that additional funding will be provided to the Sports Department in future budget allocations. He encouraged awardees to train upcoming athletes and said the state government will firmly support Maharashtra in maintaining its leading position in the sports domain.

Sports Minister Highlights Government Support

Sports Minister Dattatraya Bharane stated that the government has always prioritized athletes. Five percent of government jobs are reserved for sportspersons. Those who excel at the international level receive direct appointments, with 128 athletes already employed under this scheme. He also announced that for the first time, Yoga Sports Awards will be presented on International Yoga Day, June 21.

During the event, athletes, organizers, and coaches with outstanding performances in various sports were honoured with the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Awards. A total of 159 awards were distributed—70 for 2022–23 and 89 for 2023–24. These included the Lifetime Achievement Award, awards for athletes with disabilities, general athlete awards, direct awards, the Jijamata Award for excellent coaching, the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Coaching Excellence Award, and awards for adventurous sports.

Awardees and their families, along with many dignitaries and sports enthusiasts, attended the grand ceremony.