The State level Khel Mahakumbh was inaugurated by the chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat at the Maharana Pratap Sports College here on Friday. On the occasion, the chief minister announced that the allowance of youngsters participating in various sports competitions will be increased from Rs 150 to Rs 200.

The State level Khel Mahakumbh has begun after being postponed twice and will continue till February 20. The various sports competitions will be held in Haridwar, Dehradun, Rudrapur and Haldwani.

While addressing the players, Rawat said that sportspersons from Uttarakhand should prepare for the Olympic Games to be held in 2024. He said that sports department will have to prepare from now in order to make players ready to win medals in Olympics.

He also said that players must be selected as per their talents and arrangements must be done if coaches are needed from other parts of the country or even abroad. This shall be arranged for the selected players.

Rawat said that the purpose of organising Khel Mahakumbh is that maximum number of youth gets a chance to participate in various sports competition and showcase their talent nationally and internationally.

He further talked about the purpose of sports which is not just to win medals and trophies but to build healthy body, brain and maintain healthy lifestyle. It is fortunate that the participation of girls in sports competitions from Uttarakhand is also equal to that of boys. The girls of the state are not inferior to the boys in any case.

He said that the state in which both men and women contribute in the development, moves swiftly on the path of progress. He asked all the players to introduce the spirit of the game. Rawat said that 2019 was an important year for Uttarakhand in terms of sports as the state received recognition from the BCCI in cricket officially. The state not only participated in the Ranji Trophy but also performed admirably.

Sports and Youth Welfare minister Arvind Pandey said that through the Khel Mahakumbh, youth from every district of the state are getting an opportunity to display their talent.

He informed that more than 500 players are participating in this Khel Mahakumbh. The State Government is putting efforts so that the youth of the state get opportunities to participate in the upcoming national and international competitions.

Vice chairperson of Youth Welfare Advisory Council, Jitendra Rawat Moni, Sports secretary Brijesh Sant and others were also among those present on the occasion.