40 lakh register for Khel Mahakumbh

BHARUCH: Over 40 lakh students and sportspersons, including 13 lakh women, have registered for the state-level annual 'Khel Mahakumbh' which was inaugurated by chief minister Anandiben Patel here on Monday. The chief minister launched water sports activities in Narmada river at Zadeshwar during the sixth edition of the month-long sports event started by Narendra Modi in Gujarat in 2010 as chief minister.People in large number witnessed sportspersons doing rowing, jet skiing and water skiing at the venue where a water sports academy is proposed to be set up.
Archery, athletic, basketball, table tennis, taekwondo, yoga, artistic skating, skating, handball, hockey, volleyball, wrestling, weightlifting, equestrian, kho kho, shooting ball, swimming, shooting, cycling, football, chess, judo, kabbadi, lawn tennis, tug of war and gymnastic competitions will be held across the state during the Khel Mahakumbh.
Anandiben Patel said, "The state government is giving around Rs 45 crore to students annually to achieve their goal in different sports and has also engaged many international coaches for their benefit. Many youngsters from Gujarat have won gold, silver and bronze medals in various competitions at the national and international level in the past six years. This points to the success of Khel Mahakumbh."
The chief minister said at least one crore students had participated in the painting competition, which was recently held in Ahmedabad on the subject 'Mahatma Gandhi and Swachhta Abhiyaan'. tnn