Slathia lauds efforts to promote wrestling among rural youth
STATE TIMES NEWS
VIJAYPUR: Former Minister and Senior State Vice President National Conference Surjeet Singh Slathia on Saturday lauded the initiatives of reviving traditional rural sports, saying holding of competitions like wrestling will go a long way in motivating youth to mark at various levels.
Giving away winner and runner up trophies to the champion wrestlers at the finals of the 51st Annual Dangal organised by Pir Chatala Committee at Mini Stadium Industrial Complex, Bari Brahamana, Slathia said that sports have immense potential as a career and therefore talented ones should concentrate on their chosen games with avowed objective of achieving excellence.
“Of course cricket, soccer and hockey have overtaken other traditional games but wrestling is making comeback at the national and international levels”, he said adding that the Commonwealth Games have again acknowledged the relevance of wrestling as a premier sport and due impetus is given to its promotion. He urged the youth to come forward and show their talent on a bigger canvass.
The former minister exuded confidence that various tourneys, especially in the segment of wrestling, will provide an opportunity to the budding wrestlers to benefit from veterans and emulate various techniques, which will sharpen their talent.
The final match was played between Botu and Mindha Pahalwan, which ended in a draw. Slathia presented cash prize of Rs.31,000 to be shared by the finalists.
Besides hundreds of sports lovers, Bhagwan singh, Raman Mahajan, Vijay Singh, Rashid Mohd, Yakoob Mohd, Fakar Din, Mustafa, Shakti Singh, Nar Singh and Gulam Nabi were present on the occasion.