Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on Saturday that Ahmedabad would soon become the world’s largest sports city.
Speaking at the unveiling function of the anthem and mascot for the 36th National Games at the EKA Arena, TransStadia here in Ahmedabad, Shah said: “Ten years ago, when Modiji was the chief minister here, he started the Khel Mahakumbh. At that time Gujarat was nowhere in sports on the global map”.
“Now, we have the Narendra Modi Stadium, the largest stadium in the world, and very soon we will have the world’s biggest sports city too,” Shah said, addressing over 10,000 people at the majestic venue”.
The Home Minister, who is also the MP for Gandhinagar, presided over a glittering curtain-raising ceremony attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur. From September 29 to October 12, Gujarat will host the country’s grandest sporting extravaganza.
“Once upon a time, we Gujjus were mostly seen as just businessmen. But Modiji started Khel Mahakumbh 11 years back and that event has become so big that as many as 55 lakh youngsters took part in this edition. We even offered a whopping Rs 29 crore as prize money to the winners,” Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel said”.
“We are delighted that the National Games are back after 7 years and this one will be the biggest and grandest ever,” Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said”.
“It normally takes years to organise an event of this scale but Gujarat did this in less than three months. It is all thanks to the efforts of the CM, with IOA supporting our initiative in a big way. Over 12,000 athletes, officials and support stage will enjoy not only the sporting extravaganza but also the Garba here,” he added.
The event was attended by top dignitaries from politics and sports.
Aptly titled Saavaj, lion in Gujarati, the mascot represents India’s cultural heritage while also giving a glimpse of a rapidly growing India which is set to become a global leader again.
Sukhwinder Singh, a Bollywood star singer, has performed the Games’ anthem, which encapsulates the philosophy of Judega India, Jitega India.