Hamirpur: Governor Acharya Devvrat today inaugurated the Himachal Olympic Games here after the Olympic Torch was received in the town. Around 1100 sports persons from 11 districts of state are going to participate in these games.
Speaking on the occasion, Acharya Devvrat expressed happiness that sports activities were being promoted in a large scale around the world and players were being given more honour. Himachal Pradesh should also not lag behind in sports activities and budding players from this hilly State should be encouraged to participate in national and international sports events.
He said, “the Himachal Olympic games would provide a suitable platform to the rural youth to exhibit their talent. The youth of the State is hardworking and if given better facilities and opportunities it would surely excel in sports and bring laurels to the State and the Nation.”
The Governor appreciated the efforts of the Himachal Olympic Association for organising this event and expressed hope that it would bring fruitful results.
President of the State Olympic Association Anurag Thakur welcomed the Governor and briefed him about the future activities. He assured that facilities would be made available for the players of the State and international level infrastructure would be developed to facilitate them.
Earlier in the day Anurag Thakur and Global Wrestling Icon The Great Khali and India’s Pride Olympian Vijay Kumar reached Hamirpur to participate in the games inauguration. A torch run for the games, which began from Shimla on 17th June, reached here today. The games have the slogan, “Khelega Yuva, Jeetega Himachal”.
Speaking about the games Anurag Thakur said, “HP Olympic games have been started to herald a sporting culture in the state. Objective of these games is to make the state’s youth aware of the endless possibilities that sports offer and inspire them to take to sports in a big way.”
Arvind Sharma is an award winning bi-lingual journalist with more than 20 years of experience.
He has worked with Divya Himachal, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhasker, Vir Partap, Ajit and PTI.
In 2010, he was conferred the Himachal Kesri journalism award. He reports on the Tibetan Government in Exile, politics, sports, tourism and other topics. He lives in Dharamshala.
