Pune: Judo Excellence Centre will be set up with government participation in Sangli: Chandrakant Patil (Video)

Minister’s promise on Young Entrepreneur Punit Balan’s demand; Balan announces many cash awards for winners in Cadet National Judo Tournaments

Pune: State Higher and Technical Minister Chandrakant Patil has promised that the State Government will make efforts to open a Judo Players’ Excellence Centre in Sangli, in cooperation with Punit Balan Group and with support from the Maharashtra Judo Association.

Patil was speaking during the inauguration and the unveiling of the trophy of the National Judo Tournaments of the Cadet category in the age group of 15 to 18. The contests are taking place in cooperation with the Inspire Institute of Sports and Punit Balan Group at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mahalunge-Balewadi.

Young Entrepreneur Punit Balan, Inspire Institute of Sports President Manisha Malhotra-Mukherjee, Axis Bank’s Sayyed Haider, Aditya Golhatkar, Indian Judo Federation Inspector Virendra Vashist and Assistant Secretary CS Rajan were present.

In his speech, Punit Balan requested Minister Patil to set up a Judo Excellence Centre with the government’s participation. Patil immediately announced the setting up of the centre. Patil said, “The Modi government is making efforts to develop sports and players for an all-round progress of the country. The Centre has provided big funds for sportspersons and sports skill development. On these lines, the Maharashtra Government has announced a 5 pc reservation in government jobs for Olympians and 25 grace marks for meritorious players from Std X and Std XII and also cash money.

Punit Balan announced many cash prizes for winners in the National Judo Competitions of the cadet category. The cash awards of Rs 5 lakh include Rs 11,000 for the Gold Medallist, Rs 7,000 for the Silver Medallist and Rs 5,000 each for the two Bronze Medallists for 16 weight categories of boys and girls

Dronacharya Awardee Trainer Jiwan Sharma, Arjuna Awardee Yashpal Solanki, Competition Head JR Rajesh and State Judo Association President Dhananjay Bhosale were the Special Guests. The introductory speech was given by State Judo Association General Secretary Shailesh Tilak while Secretary (TC) Datta Aphale proposed a vote of Thanks.

The competitions are being held from January 23 to 25. As many as 600 players, trainers, umpires and office-bearers have arrived in the city for the contests.

Special felicitation of Hembati Nag

A Special felicitation of Hembati Nag by Minister Chandrakant Patil was held. Nag hails from a very remote tribal area in Chhattisgarh. She won many medals in the School and National Judo Contests in the past overcoming all odds. She has got the President’s Award.

On Friday, contests started in the Under 40, 48, 52, and 57 kg categories of girls and the Under 50, 55, 60, and 66 kg categories of boys. Later, the final rounds were played in the evening.