Solan
Health and Family Welfare, Social Justice and Empowerment and Labor and Employment Minister Col. Dr. Dhaniram Shandil said that sports have an important role in overall personality building. Dr. Shandil was addressing the players and others present on the occasion of the inauguration of the three-day state level hockey tournament organized by the Solan Hockey Club at the historic Thodo ground here today.
About 200 women and men players from 14 teams of age group above 16 years are participating in this three-day competition.
Dr. Speaking on the occasion, Shandil said that sports mature the youth and prepare them for the challenges of the future. He said that discipline, dedication and a sincere effort are necessary for success in life and sports make us adept at imbibing all these qualities.
The Health Minister said that India is known for the best hockey players in the world. By winning the bronze medal in hockey in the last Olympic Games, India is once again taking steps towards proving its glory in hockey. He said that at present Indian hockey is moving towards regaining its lost glory.
Dr. Shandil said that the state government is working towards strengthening the sports infrastructure up to the village level. Planned work is being done to build a sports ground with better facilities.
He said that possibilities would be explored to develop an Astroturf ground in Solan to provide world class facilities to the hockey players. He said that a stadium with better facilities would also be constructed in Solan.
He hoped that this competition would prove helpful in enhancing the talent of the players. He urged the players to play a decisive role in keeping their young colleagues away from drugs.
He said that this year Himachal had to bear unprecedented loss due to natural calamity. He urged the youth to provide constructive cooperation in the reconstruction of the state.
Dr. Shandil announced to provide one lakh rupees from his discretionary fund to the Solan Hockey Club.
Vinod Gupta, a renowned businessman of Solan, Dr. Shandil was presented a check of Rs 51,000 towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
It was informed by the organizers of the competition that for the last four years free training is also being provided to the youth to promote hockey by the Solan Hockey Club. He also provided detailed information about the competition.
Mayor of Municipal Corporation Solan Poonam Grover, President of Jogindra Central Cooperative Bank Mukesh Sharma, President of Block Congress Committee Solan Sanjeev Thakur, President of Urban Congress Ankush Sood, General Secretary of Block Congress Committee Solan Kunal Sood, Member of Hospital Patient Welfare Committee Vinish Dhir , Senior Congress leader Sushil Chowdhary, Nominated Councilor of Municipal Corporation Solan Rajat Thapa, Sub Divisional Officer Solan Kavita Thakur, President of Solan Hockey Club Capt. S.P. Jagota, Organizing Secretary Pankaj Gupta, other members, dignitaries and players were present on the occasion