Winners with the champion trophy at the Kalaburagi Sports Habba closing ceremony. Photo: Priyank Kharge media group
Kalaburagi: Kalaburagi has no shortage of sporting talent, and the district has laid the foundation for a sports revolution by giving athletes opportunities, Home, IT/BT and e-Governance Minister and Kalaburagi district in-charge Priyank Kharge said on Saturday.
He was speaking after presenting medals and certificates to winning athletes at the closing ceremony of the Kalaburagi Sports Habba at SM Pandit Rangamandira in the city. The festival was organised by the district administration, Kalaburagi Next Foundation and Spenzo.
“There is no shortage of talent in our region, but there is a shortage of suitable opportunities. Talented athletes are emerging from rural areas too, and our aim is to give them a proper platform and encouragement,” Kharge said.
He said participants had not only won awards but had also shown their talent and gained confidence. The government and the district administration will take the steps needed to offer such opportunities in future too, he added.
The government is considering setting aside one month every year for a sports festival, which would help athletes with continuous training and participation in competitions, Kharge said. Renovation of the district stadium is under way at a cost of about ₹50 crore, community stadiums have been built at several places and a new stadium has been built in Chittapur, he said.
“Today’s sports festival is not a finishing line; it is the starting line for sporting growth,” the minister said. He congratulated all the athletes and said Kalaburagi’s sportspersons would be supported, through continuous encouragement, to excel at the state, national and international levels.
Legislative Council member Tippannappa Kamkanur said no sports festival of this kind had been held in Kalaburagi before and praised Kharge for giving about 2,000 students a platform. MLA Allamaprabhu Patil said about 2,000 athletes had been given a stage to show their talent, hoped district athletes would win recognition at the international level and said the minister had also given priority to building a women’s stadium.
Kalaburagi Mayor Ajmal Gola, Deputy Commissioner Ikram Sharif, City Police Commissioner Sharanappa S.D., Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasalu and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Rahul Sankanur were among those present.
More than 2,000 athletes took part in nine competitions held under the festival. Medals, trophies and certificates were presented to winners in the various sports.
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