Sansad Khel Mahakumbh starts at Sujanpur, Nadaun

Sansad Khel Mahakumbh, an initiative of former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, got under way at Sujanpur and Nadaun Assembly constituencies yesterday.

In first phase, sports competitions will be organised at block and district levels followed by parliamentary constituency level championships in various games, including kabbadi, wrestling, volleyball and basketball.

Former minister Virendra Kanwar inaugurated the event at Sujanpur, while cricketer Rishi Dhawan inaugurated the event at Nadaun.

Speaking on the occasion, Rishi Dhawan praised Anurag Thakur for encouraging youths of Himachal Pradesh to taking up sports.

At Sujanpur, Virender Kanwar said the Khel Mahakumbh was a boon for players from the rural areas who had the passion for the sports but did not have any platform to display their talent.

Kapil Mohan, coordinator of the sports event, said 52 teams were registered in kabaddi at Sujanpur and eight matches were played. He said kabaddi teams of Majhog Sultani, St Sai, Kot, Chabutra-4, Karot, Chabutra-3, Government Senior Secondary School Sujanpur and Chauri had advanced to the second round. He said the winners would be awarded with cash prizes, including Rs 11,000 to winner, Rs 5,100 to runner-up and Rs 3,100 to the team that secured third position.

District BJP president Rakesh Thakur and former MLA Vijay Agnihotri were also present on the occasion.