Gujarat’s sports push not overnight, but result of decades of dedication: Sanghavi

Ahmedabad, Feb 25: Emphasising Gujaratís steady rise as a sporting powerhouse, Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Harsh Sanghavi said that the present achievements in the sports sector were not the result of overnight efforts, but a culmination of decades of dedication and sustained hard work.

Highlighting the stateís progressive sports policy and expanding infrastructure, Sanghavi credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for laying the foundation during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat.

He said that the launch of Khel Mahakumbh in 2010 marked a turning point in the stateís sporting journey.

The initiative organised competitions from village to block, district, and state levels, helping to build a strong sports culture at the grassroots.

He said the momentum generated by Khel Mahakumbh significantly strengthened the sports ecosystem, enabling Gujarat to host the National Games of India after a long gap.

Pointing to the stateís rapid infrastructural development, Sanghavi said that the Veer Savarkar Sports Hub was constructed within just 28 months.

Even before its formal inauguration, the venue successfully hosted prestigious international events including Asian and Commonwealth weightlifting tournaments.

Sanghavi said that in the Police Training School at Gandhinagar, nine games had been incorporated into the training curriculum, a move he described as a major initiative to promote sports culture within the force.

He said that Indiaís largest exclusive sports centre for para athletes was coming up in Gandhinagar and was expected to be completed before 2027.

The centre, he said, would be dedicated entirely to nurturing and training para athletes, further strengthening Gujaratís commitment to inclusive sports development.