This February, racing athletes from rural Jaipur will run to fame at the parliamentary constituency level, as the ‘Jaipur Mahakhel’ returns for its third edition. Jaipur Rural is the electoral constituency of Union Sports Minister Rajyvardhan Rathore, and the ‘Mahakhel’ is his local initiative, along the lines of the ‘Khelo India’ campaign.
“‘Khelo India’ provides a platform to sports talent across the country. It also forms the inspiration for the ‘Jaipur Mahakhel’, which is held each year to make the youngsters physically and psychologically stronger,” said Rajyvardhan Rathore on Saturday, while unveiling the tournament poster in Jaipur.
The constituency level tournament will have racing events in three categories — 100 metres, 1,500 metres and 3,000 metres. It will commence from February 11, while competitions will be held at all 362 gram panchayats of Jaipur Rural. Panchayat winners will compete at the Assembly constituency level, to reach the final competition on February 24. On offer for winners are prizes including two-wheelers and cash awards.
As thousands of youth are expected to run for prizes and fame at the tournament, it is also expected to generate political lead for the Olympian medalist minister in coming elections. The constituency level tournament initiated in 2017 featured tournaments of different sports like kabaddi, volleyball and kho-kho in its previous editions. Each year, the tournament picks different sporting events.
The sportsperson-turned-politician Rathore, however, maintains that sports has always been a integral part of rural life, and a medium to promote social integrity. He said that over the last five years, he had made previous efforts for betterment of all sections and areas without any political prejudice, and similarly, the sporting events have also come to promote talent without discrimination.
Sports has always been a medium for progress as far as Rathore is concerned. During his tenure as MP, the constituency has seen work initiated at 32 stadiums. These stadiums, along with sports, will also have training activities for those aspiring for selection to the armed forces.
Jaipur Mahakhel 2019
Dates
- February 11 to February 24, 2019
- Will be held in 362 gram panchayats, eight Assembly and one Parliamentary constituencies
Disciplines at the Games
- 100 metre race, 1,500 metre race and 3,000 metre race
- Third edition of Jaipur Mahakhel
- Was earlier held in 2017 and 2018
- Previous editions held sports like kabaddi, kho-kho and volleyball.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Rajyavardhan Rathore")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}