Stating that he wants to reintroduce state’s kids to their playgrounds, chief minister Narendra Modi stated until the advent of gizmos, play grounds would brim with children playing different sports. In a bid to revive this culture, the Gujarat government would soon announce a sports policy in order to encourage youth participation in sports.

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“Sports events or activities should not be organised as mere competitions. But it should be part of a person’s social life. Competitions should be a mere by-product of sporting events,” said Modi who flagged off the torch relay for the third Khel Mahakumbh (2012-13), a state sport event in Gandhinagar.

Modi also highlighted the fact that sports, youth and culture affairs ministry was an unknown entity in the past, but today it is at the centre-stage just like finance, industries, agriculture and education ministries.

He further stated that Khel Mahakumbh was started to develop and encourage sports culture in the state. Appreciating physical education (PE) teachers, Modi said that they have created a vibrant atmosphere for sports events that will bring good results in the future.

Khel Mahakumbh is a programme initiated by the state government in 2010 to encourage youngsters, particularly school students to participate in sporting activities and to promote a sports culture in the state.

The torch relay will cover 26 districts spanning a distance of 2745.30 km. Beginning from the state capital today, it will reach Ahmedabad on January 9 and culminate in Surat on January 17.

State sports, youth and culture affairs mninister Raman Vora said that more than 21 lakh people across various age categories have registered in this year's Khel Mahakumbh. In 2011, a record 18 lakh sportspersons, including 60,000 differently-abled participated in the event.