Gandhinagar
(
Gujarat
) April 1 (ANI):
Gujarat
‘s two athletes with
Intellectual Disabilities
have left a notable impression at the Special Olympics
Olympics
Winter World Championships in Turin
Italy
According to a statement released by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Tuesday.
Asha Thakor of Mehsana and Pinkal Chauhan of Dahod secured bronze medals in floorball, earning accolades for their state and country.
Floorball, an indoor game akin to
hockey
is played using a lightweight plastic ball along with specially designed carbon fiber sticks.
Olympics
The World Winter Games, which took place in Turin,
Italy
From March 8 to 15, 2025, 30 Indian athletes participated in different sporting events. Notably, Ashaben Thakor and Pinkalben Chauhan excelled remarkably in floorball during this period.
Supported by the global organization Specialized
Olympics
, ‘Special
Olympics
Bharat-
Gujarat
‘Serves as the central authority acknowledged by the Sports Authority of
Gujarat
Since 2010, the Sports Authority has been
Gujarat
has been organizing the Special Khel Mahakumbh, a dedicated sports event exclusively for Divyang athletes.
Participants who stand out in this contest get qualified for national-level tournaments and gain the chance to represent India at the World Games, which takes place every two years in various nations. The Khel Mahakumbh has played a crucial role in molding the international achievements of Ashaben Thakor and Pinkalben Chauhan. These athletes have consistently taken part and performed exceptionally well in the Special Khel Mahakumbh, an event organized by the
Gujarat
government, since 2010.
In 2010, the former Chief Minister of
Gujarat
Currently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated the Khel Mahakumbh with aims to enhance sporting consciousness amongst young people, encourage physical well-being, and foster an energetic sports atmosphere across the nation.
Gujarat
. Since its inception, the event has been held annually, featuring competitions at village, district, and state levels.
Over time, Khel Mahakumbh has transformed from merely a talent scouting platform into a powerful catalyst for change.
Gujarat
‘Sports development program saw a remarkable response right from the start, with around 16.50 lakh athletes enrolling in 2010. In the 2024-25 iteration of Khel Mahakumbh 3.0, it broke records again with an impressive participation of 71,30,834 individuals.
Under the guidance of Bhupendra Patel,
Gujarat
the introduction of the Sports Policy from 2022 to 2027 aims at bolstering the state’s sporting environment. This new policy intends to elevate the status of the region within the sports landscape.
Gujarat
As a leading sports center in the upcoming years, providing gifted athletes more chances to chase and fulfill their aspirations.
In the last twenty years,
Gujarat
Young athletes have made notable strides in sports, demonstrating improved abilities and greater competitiveness. This advancement serves as an affirmation of their development.
Gujarat
the government’s steadfast dedication to nurturing a thriving sports environment.
Under the visionary guidance of the former Chief Minister and current
PM Modi
,
Gujarat
Introduced multiple groundbreaking schemes such as Khel Mahakumbh, the Shaktidoot Yojana, and DLSS, along with various others. These initiatives have been pivotal in fostering athletes through organized coaching, monetary assistance, and appropriate acknowledgment.
In 2002,
Gujarat
The sports budget was initially just Rs 2.5 crore. Today, it has seen an astounding 141-fold increase, exceeding Rs 352 crore, according to the statement from ANI.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
