In a move to pay tribute to the country's soil and promote traditional sports, Surat City Police organized the 'Kabaddi Competition-2023' under the banner of 'Meri Mitti Mera Desh' in Surat. Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi was present to encourage the players and witness an exhilarating competition that took place on Sunday at Police Parade Ground, Athwalines.
The women's team of Surat Headquarters emerged victoriously with 53 points, defeating the Zone-5 team, who scored 9 points. Meanwhile, the men's category saw a closely fought match where the Surat headquarter team scored 35 points, but Zone-3 was declared the winner with 41 points. Both the women's and men's winning teams were awarded a prize of Rs 31,000 each, along with the winner's trophy.
During the event, the Minister of State for Home spoke about the 'Meri Mitti Mera Desh' program initiated by the Prime Minister across India to honor freedom fighters and border soldiers. The campaign involves the construction of Amut Vatika using soil collected from all the villages across the country, from taluka-district to Kartavyapath of Delhi.
He emphasized the importance of encouraging interest in traditional soil-related games in today's technology-driven era where children are often more inclined towards mobile and computer games. Sanghvi praised the Surat Police for organizing the competition with the intention of boosting the internal and external energy of the policemen, in line with the state government's goal to foster sportsmanship and fitness.
Notable attendees at the event included Police Commissioner Ajay Tomar, District Public Prosecutor Nayan Sukhdwala, VNSGU Vice-Chancellor Dr. K.N. Chavda, D.C.P. (Traffic) Amita Vanani, District Sports Development Officer Chetan Patel, city leaders, players, and a large number of police personnel.
The 'Kabaddi Competition-2023' in Surat not only showcased the passion for a traditional Indian sport but also highlighted the spirit of unity and patriotism through the 'Meri Mitti Mera Desh' campaign. The success of the event reflects a commitment to preserving cultural heritage and promoting physical fitness, setting a commendable example for communities across the nation.
