Rural sports festival kicks off on low-key note at Kila Raipur

Mahesh Sharma

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Kilaraipur, February 2

The 82nd edition of the Kila Raipur Rural Sports Festival, also known as the Mini-Olympics world over, kicked off under supervision of the district administration here today.

As traditional bullock cart races, equine show and performance by all animals except dogs, were banned by the administration greyhound races remained the centre of attraction on the first day of the fair.

Absence of bullocks, horses and camels from the arena, however, disappointed participants and spectators. The organisers were not allowed to hold such events owing to a ban by the Animal Welfare Board of India, Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The Grewal Sports Association general secretary, Balwinder Singh Jagga, said the administration had declined their request to allow participation of animals except dogs and that, too, under observance of special committee comprising Sub-Divisional Magistrate (East), Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry, Ludhiana, SHO, Dehlon, and a designated animal welfare activist.

The chief guest on the day one was legislator of Gill, Kuldeep Singh Vaid, who, however, claimed that the Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, had assured to get permission for holding events involving bullocks before the sports fair next year.

Veterinary physicians, Dr Charanjit Singh Pandher and Dr Rajbir Singh Kang, who were nodal officers for the event, said 60 healthy dogs were allowed to participate. No cruelty or accidental injury was witnessed till close of the first day events.

Besides dog races, athletics events and hockey matches were held on the first day of the rural festival. Sharan Deep Singh of Bhaini Baringa and Prachi from Patiala emerged as fastest boy and girl, respectively, in their events. Sahil Mehra of Pathankot and Jashanpreet Singh of Jalandhar bagged second and third prizes in the U-19 100 metre race for boys. Amanpreet Kaur from Taran Taran and Parveen of Ludhiana finished second and third, respectively, in the U-19 100 metre race for girls.

In the girls’ hockey Sangrur eves defeated Kila Raipur by 5-0. In boys’ hockey Gholiya beat Amloh Club by 6-5, Rumi defeated Ropar by 7-0 and Chajali beat Sports Club by 5-4.

Results on Day 1

Boys 400 metre (under 19): 1st Jashanpreet Singh, Jalandhar (50.1 sec), 2nd Gurkomal Singh, Ludhiana (50.6 sec), 3rd Lavjot Singh, Gurdaspur (51.4 sec).

Boys 400 metre (Primary): 1st Amanpreet, Raikot, 2nd Amritpal, Bilaspur, 3rd Harman Singh, Sunam.

Boys 100 metre (Primary): 1st Amanpreet, Raikot, 2nd Harman Singh, Sunam, 3rd Hardeep Singh, Sunam.

Boys 200 metre (Under 19): 1st Sharandeep, Bheni Baringa, 2nd Navjot Singh, Gurdaspur, 3rd Jashanpreet Singh, Jalandhar.

Girls 200 metre (Under 19): 1st Prachi, Patiala, 2nd Ritu, Patiala, 3rd Amanpreet Kaur, Taran Taran.

Cycle race 1 mile (Under 19): 1st Sahil, Ludhiana, 2nd Anmolpreet, Patiala 2, 3rd Gurkaran, Patiala.

Sidelines

Disappointment among the organisers, participants and spectators was diluted when the Gill MLA, Kuldeep Singh Vaid, joined youths in ‘Bhangra’ and recited ‘bolian’ (couplets) on request of the stage secretary. Unlike earlier events, policemen, including Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gill, Ramandeep Singh Bhullar, and the SHO, Dehlon, Kamaljit Singh, remained on the arena till the finish of events on first day of the rural sports fair. Probably it was the first time in the history of the Kila Raipur Sports Fair that no bullock arrived at the stadium on the inaugural day.