Jaipur, Aug 8 (IANS) The Maharana Pratap Sports University is being established in Jaipur at an estimated cost of Rs 101 crore, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma announced on Saturday while honouring Rajasthan’s medal‑winning athletes.
Addressing a programme at the Constitution Club of Rajasthan, Sharma said athletes such as Arundhati Choudhary, Yashveer Singh, Rahul Sharma, Mona Agarwal and Sandhya Vishnoi have brought glory to the state through their discipline and dedication, supported by the sacrifices of their coaches and families.
He recalled that Arundhati Choudhary won gold in boxing at the Commonwealth Games, Yashveer Singh secured bronze in javelin throw, Rahul Sharma won gold at the Shooting Para World Cup, Mona Agarwal clinched bronze at the Shooting Para World Cup, and Sandhya Vishnoi took silver at the Under‑17 World Wrestling Championship.
Sharma said India is making rapid progress in sports under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who views sports as an instrument of nation‑building. He added that the Central Government’s Khelo India initiative is providing athletes with training, equipment, medical facilities and financial assistance, while Rajasthan is strengthening its own sports infrastructure.
The Chief Minister said incentives and financial assistance amounting to Rs 52 crore have been sanctioned for 3,540 athletes, and 186 athletes have been appointed to government service. Rajasthan successfully hosted the Khelo India University Games 2025, with 7,000 athletes from 222 universities participating across seven cities. State athletes won 60 medals and secured third position nationally.
He said Rajasthan’s athletes enhanced the state’s prestige at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. The government has introduced a Sports Life Insurance Scheme, spent Rs 18 crore on sports equipment, and is establishing 50 Khelo India Centres. A Centre of Excellence for athletics, archery and boxing is being set up at Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Sharma highlighted the Rajasthan Youth Policy‑2026, which has created new opportunities in education, skill development, sports and leadership. Under the One District‑One Sport initiative, specific sports are being promoted in each district. The Rajasthan Target Olympic Podium Scheme has been launched to help athletes prepare for the Olympics, and the Khelo Rajasthan Youth Games will promote traditional sports and identify grassroots talent.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that these initiatives would help Rajasthan establish itself as a leading sporting state nationally and internationally. He interacted with medal‑winning athletes and felicitated them with citations and cash awards. Arundhati Choudhary received Rs 1 crore, while Yashveer Singh received Rs 30 lakh. Other awards were also announced during the programme.
–IANS
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