State Stands Firmly Behind Athletes – Sports Minister Dattatray Bharne

Olympic Day Celebrated in Pune with Grand Event and Tributes to Sporting Icons

Pune: Maharashtra’s Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, Dattatray Bharne, assured unwavering state government support for athletes and sports organisations, stating that every effort will be made to resolve their challenges and provide necessary facilities. Speaking at an event organised in Pune to mark Olympic Day, Bharne encouraged athletes to perform with dedication and emulate national sports heroe

The program was jointly organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Services and the Maharashtra Olympic Association at the Lady Ramabai Auditorium of Sir Parshuram College. Present on the occasion were Sports Commissioner Sheetal Teli-Ugale, Additional Director Sudhir More, Deputy Director Uday Joshi, Suhas Patil, Divisional Deputy Director Yuvraj Naik, District Sports Officer Jagannath Lakde, Principal Dr. Sunil Gaikwad, and senior officials from the Maharashtra Olympic Association.

Minister Bharne recalled India’s first Olympic medal in 1952 by Khashaba Jadhav and praised more recent winners like Swapnil Kusale and Paralympian Sachin Khilari. He highlighted initiatives such as 5% job reservation for sportspersons and direct recruitment to government service, under which 149 athletes were appointed in 2024–25. The government is also constructing an Olympic Bhavan in Balewadi, which will offer modern sports facilities.

He called on towns and villages to nurture future Olympians and expressed hope that Maharashtra athletes will lead India’s medal tally at the 2028 and 2032 Olympics.

Commissioner Sheetal Teli emphasized the need for improved performance by Maharashtra at the Olympics despite the state’s vast talent pool. She encouraged citizens to contribute suggestions to the ‘Viksit Maharashtra 2047: Vision Document’ via the Sports Directorate’s website.

Teli added that under the Krida Prabodhini initiative, talented athletes are identified and provided with training, scholarships, financial aid, and organised sports camps. Infrastructure development is underway, including sports complexes at the taluka, district, and divisional levels, with adequate funding allocated.

Maharashtra Olympic Association General Secretary Namdev Shirgaonkar highlighted that Maharashtra hosts the country’s largest Olympic movement, working to bring rural talent into the national fold. He underlined the importance of ensuring foundational sports facilities for both athletes and organisations, especially in preparation camps.

Olympians and award-winning athletes including boxer Manoj Pingale, hockey player Rekha Bhide, Arjuna awardees Srirang Inamdar (Kho-Kho), Shantaram Jadhav and Shakuntala Khatavkar (Kabaddi), Khel Ratna recipient rower Smita Yadav-Shirole, badminton player Pradeep Gandhe, archer Gatha Khadke, and wrestler Gayatri Shinde were felicitated. Sports journalist Sanjay Dudhaney was also honoured.

The event began with performances of Ganesh Vandana, Mallakhamb, Yoga, Gymnastics, Kickboxing, and Mardani sports, captivating the audience. An Olympic Run from Lal Mahal to the college kicked off the celebrations, with participation from athletes, coaches, and citizens.