Maharashtra Government To Support Athletes Excelling In Traditional Sports At Olympicveer Khashaba Jadhav Mahakumbh

Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Shri Manikrao Kokate on Wednesday announced that the state government will work towards granting Shiv Chhatrapati Awards, government benefits, and official appointments to athletes excelling in traditional Indian sports. He made the announcement at the inauguration of the Olympicveer Khashaba Jadhav Paramparik Krida Mahakumbh held at Kurla. The event also marked the opening of the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Traditional Sports Ground.

Government Support Backed by Key Leaders
The demand to extend government benefits to players preserving India’s traditional outdoor games — an essential part of the nation’s cultural heritage — was proposed by Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Minister Shri Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who conceptualised the Mahakumbh.

Inauguration Attended by Dignitaries
The inaugural programme was attended by Smt. Madhavi Sardeshmukh, Director of the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training; Mumbai Suburban District Collector Shri Saurabh Katiyar; Treasurer of Kreeda Bharati Shri Ganeshji Devrukhkar; Mumbai President Shri Milind Dange; and Shri Ranjit Jadhav, son of Olympian Khashaba Jadhav.

Festive Atmosphere and Cultural Significance
The festivities opened in a vibrant atmosphere, with traditional Maharashtrian dhol and lezim performances. Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis praised the initiative, highlighting the importance of reviving traditional sports in today’s technology-driven era to keep children physically active.

Honouring Olympian Khashaba Jadhav
Shri Lodha highlighted Maharashtra’s Olympian and wrestling legend Khashaba Jadhav, who secured an Olympic medal against all odds. He stressed the importance of holding competitions in Jadhav’s name annually and granting participating athletes government concessions.

Annual Competitions and Youth Engagement
Shri Kokate announced that the government would organise such competitions every year and highlighted initiatives by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, such as International Yoga Day, that promote Indian heritage globally. He also mentioned plans to explore making traditional games like langdi, skipping rope, and lagori compulsory in primary schools.

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Demonstrations and Youth Participation
The opening day featured captivating demonstrations of lathi-kathi, mallakhamb, and sword fighting. Shri Ranjit Jadhav praised the Mahakumbh as a commendable effort to attract youth to traditional games.

Event Details
The Mahakumbh will run until August 22, featuring 20,000 participants competing across 18 traditional Indian sports.