Ranchi, Dec 25 (UNI) The MP Sports Festival concluded on Thursday at multiple locations across Jharkhand, bringing to a close months of sporting activities aimed at promoting fitness, discipline and grassroots talent among young people. Prime Minister Modi, in a virtual address, lauded the participation from villages and small towns in the sports fest.
In Sahibganj, BJP state working president and MP Aditya Sahu attended the closing ceremony of the Rajmahal Lok Sabha MP Sports Competition as chief guest and distributed prizes to winners and participants.
Addressing players, Sahu said sports give youth the joy of victory and the strength to face defeat, helping them develop a healthy competitive spirit.
He said the Fit India campaign under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to build a healthy society, which is essential for achieving the goal of a developed India. He also appealed to young people to make sports and yoga part of their daily lives amid growing professional and academic pressures. Senior BJP leaders, including state vice-president Vikas Pritam and former MLA Anant Kumar Ojha, were present. Hundreds of players participated in the competitions.
The festival also concluded in Ranchi with a ceremony at the OTC Ground, where winners of various sports disciplines were felicitated. The programme featured cultural performances, including Chhau and Paika.
Addressing players and organisers through video conferencing, Prime Minister Modi said the growing scale of the MP Sports Festival reflected a shift in public attitude towards sports. He said participation from villages and small towns showed that talent was emerging from every section of society, and noted that increased investment in sports infrastructure and training was helping young athletes move forward.
Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth said the festival had become an effective platform for identifying hidden talent in rural areas and providing young players with exposure and confidence. Officials said competitions were organised in football, kabaddi, athletics, archery, wushu and other disciplines, with participation running into thousands.
In Hazaribag, the MP Sports Festival concluded at Sanjay Singh Stadium under the leadership of local MP Manish Jaiswal. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Jaiswal said the initiative was not limited to prize distribution but was focused on shaping the character and confidence of young people. He said the strong participation from villages, blocks and assembly segments showed that youth in the region were ready to embrace sports as part of a disciplined and healthy lifestyle.
According to organisers, the Hazaribag leg of the festival, which began on June 15, saw around 24,500 participants across football, cricket, chess, archery and kabaddi competitions. Winners and outstanding performers were awarded trophies, medals and cash prizes, while sports associations and volunteers were also felicitated.
Organisers said the festival would be expanded in the coming years with the aim of strengthening grassroots sports and creating sustained opportunities for young athletes across the state.
