The five-day 27th All India Forest Sports Meet-2024 kicked off in Raipur, the state capital, on Wednesday evening. The inaugural ceremony took place at Swami Vivekananda Stadium in Kota, with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai officially opening the event. In his speech, the Chief Minister congratulated the participating athletes from across the states and union territories, encouraging them to perform well and enjoy the tournament. Indian T-20 captain Surya Kumar Yadav, who was also present, expressed his pleasure at being in Raipur. He shared that he had a discussion with Chief Minister Sai about the development of sports in the state and extended his best wishes to the participants. Chhattisgarh’s Minister for Forest and Climate Change, Kedar Kashyap, also addressed the gathering, wishing the athletes success.

 

Bihar Forest Minister Dr. Prem Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Leena Nandan, and Director General of Forests Jitendra Kumar were among the other speakers at the event. Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav sent his congratulations via a video message. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Forces) V Sreenivasa Rao delivered the welcome address, while Chief Conservator of Forests and tournament Nodal Officer Shalini Raina provided details of the event. Raina informed the audience that 2,916 athletes, including 2,331 men and 585 women, from 29 states and 10 union territories, are competing in 24 sports across 300 events at 16 venues. The event featured a vibrant march past by the athletes, with State Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap administering the athletes’ oath. The ceremony concluded with a colorful display of fireworks. Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, Food Minister Dayaldas Baghel, MLAs Rajesh Munat, Anuj Sharma, and Motilal Sahu, as well as BJP leader Rampratap Singh, officials, and players, were present. Following the inauguration, Padma Shri recipient Anuj Sharma and his team captivated the audience with a performance. The closing ceremony, scheduled for October 20, will be attended by Governor Ramen Deka as the chief guest, with Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker as a special guest.

 

 

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai felicitated Indian T20 cricket team captain Surya Kumar Yadav, who arrived as a special guest at the 27th Forest Sports Festival organised in the capital Raipur On Wednesday. The Chief Minister felicitated Surya Kumar Yadav by presenting him with Chhattisgarh’s traditional ‘shawl’ and coconut and wished him all the best for the future. The Chief Minister said that players like Surya Kumar Yadav are a source of inspiration for the youth and their sports skills have enhanced India’s prestige at the international level. He appreciated Yadav’s sports spirit and his achievements. On this occasion, Surya Kumar Yadav appreciated the sports enthusiasts, players of Chhattisgarh and praised the progress in the field of sports in Chhattisgarh.