Bharuch stakes claims for largest tug-of-war record

Bharuch: Bharuch district administration has staked claim for holding the world's largest tug-of-war with participation of over 5,000 people during the promotional event of the state government's annual sports event - Khel Maha Kumbh.
The event will be inaugurated on January 18 from Bharuch by chief minister Anandiben Patel. A two-day tug-of-war competition was held on Sunday and Monday on the Hostel Ground where 616 teams comprising of over 5,000 people participated.
Minister for civil supply Chatrasinh Mori, Bharuch MLA Dushyant Patel and former Rajya Sabha MP Bharatsinh Parmar participated in the tug-of-war along with Bharuch collector Dr Vikrant Pandey, superintendent of police Shobha Bhutda and district development officer Anand Patel.
Pandey told TOI, "Bharuch is going to break the Guinness Record for the largest tug-of-war tournament currently held by people of Rochester in US where 1,574 people had participated in September 2012. In Bharuch, more than 5,000 people had participated. We have registered claim for the world record." Prakash Javadekar, Union minister for state for environment, forest and climate change had also visited the Hostel Ground and witnessed the mega event.
Meanwhile, a cyclathon will be held at Ankleshwar on January 17 where around 600 people will cycle for 10km.
Naresh Pujara, one of the promoters of the Ankleshwar Bicycle Club said, "We would like to spread awareness among people on using bicycle at least once a week to stay healthy." The chief minister will also launch water sports facilities in Narmada river on January 18.