Nagpur: “Sports develop when they get a platform. Kids are imitators. When they see games being played around, they too turn to the game. The sports festivals, sports competitions introduce new sports, new players come forward. Those who are already playing get new opportunities. Organizing Khasdar Krida Mahotsav is important to create a sports environment with overall sports and player development”, said Olympian Arjuna Award winner Gopal Saini. He appreciated the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for his concept of Khasdar Krida Mahotsav being organised in Nagpur.
Saini was in Nagpur for the inaugural function of the Athletics Competition under the Khasdar Krida Mahotsav held on Tuesday, May 17 at the Divisional Sports Complex, Mankapur. The Chairman of the Athletics Competition Committee, Dr. Sharad Suryavanshi was present on the occasion.
Saini further said that with the advent of technology in sports, some things have become more accurate and the malpractices in them have been curtailed. Today, the game needs maximum encouragement. Parents must come to the field before the children can enter the arena, appealed Gopal Saini.
In his entire sports career, Gopal Saini, having 17 records in his name, ran barefoot in many competitions of his career. Talking about this, he said, “I used to practice running every day. At that time I used to buy shoes for Rs 15 but it did not last even for 15 days. The shoes used by some senior players were also used. However, they did not support him for long. So I practiced running barefoot and participated in competitions and also won medals. However, now that the rules have been amended, it is not possible to run without a pair of shoes,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked to promote sports across the country through ‘Khelo India’. In Nagpur, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari conceived the idea of Khasdar Krida Mahotsav.The Festival is a great opportunity for local players. “Today, such an initiative has led to the improvement of sports, the availability of materials, and the creation of opportunities,” Saini said. He also said that the players should take advantage of such opportunities to find a way to further achieve their goal.
Being the National President of Krida Bharati, Gopal Saini highlighted the role being played by Krida Bharati . He said that Krida Bharati was raising its voice in the interest of the game and the players. Due to the efforts of Krida Bharati in Rajasthan, the players got a 2% sports quota. He said that on the strength of the players’ performance, they got jobs as officers in various fields. Apart from this, Krida Bharati gives ‘Jijabai Award’ to the players and their mothers. He said that online competitions are being held on children’s sports related issues, the history and information of the players is being presented to the children by holding competitions in the name of the players, he said.
