With a haul of 101 medals, which included 39 gold, 35 silver and 27 bronze, Karnataka dominated the 23rd All India Forests sports meet which concluded at the Gachibowli stadium Hyderabad on Wednesday.
Chattisgarh with 97 medals stood in the second position, while Uttarakhand took the third place, bagging 72 medals The local Telangaana team had to be satisfied with the nineth place, achieving 27 medals.
Ali Baba of Tamil Nadu was adjudged the best sports person in the men’s category, while Sangeeta Rajgopal of Chattisgarh won the award in the distaff section.
Over all 2323 forest employees from all parts of India took part in this event. The 24th meet is expected to be held next year at Lucknow.
Central Forest minister Anil Madhav, Telangaana Deputy Chief Minister Mohd Ali, Triple Olympian and Padmashri awardee Mukesh Kumar and dronacharya awardee Mohd Arif graced the occasion as chief guests.
Speaking on the ocassion, the Dy CM of Telengaana said the honourable Chief Minister of Telengaana K Chandrashekara Rao has been encouraging sportsmen in a big way and the Telangaana Government would always extend its cooperation in organising the events further
India’s one of the finest hockey players Mukesh Kumar was of the opinion that such events would help the employees not only maintain good relationship among themselves, but also help them to be fit and healthy `
Mukesh also mentioned that `sports teach us discipline and unite us. ” Air India is also coming up with new ventures to create sporting awareness in the country. “AIR India has employed so many sportspersons and they will continue to encourage”, said the humble sportsman, who made an indelible impression as a forward during his playing days.
The four-day mega event was very nicely organised by the Governament of Telangaana.
BY Sudeer Mahavaadi – DD Commentator
