Modi urges sportspersons to prepare for golden jubilee year

Gandhinagar, Mar 8 (UNI) Chief Minister Narendra Modi today exhorted state sportspersons to prepare themselves to achieve the golden goal of Global Gujarat on the occassion of state's golden jubilee, to be celebrated in 2010.

Mr Modi said he was committed to providing sports facilities to new generation to ensure that they could bring laurels to the state in the field of sports.

Mr Modi was here to give away Women Development awards to the sportswomen of International Centre for Entrepreneurs and Career Development Institution, Bhopal, on the occasion of Women's Day.

Prizes worth Rs 9.41 lakh and scholarships were distributed among 941 sportswomen.

Education Minister Anandiben Patel gave details about various schemes of the state government for sportswomen and Gujarat development in international sports during the last five years.

''The government has created more boarding facilities for sportswomen and provided free of cost lodging and boarding in sports hostels,'' she said.

''Besides, scholarship of Rs 300 per month is also provided to the sportswomen,'' she added.

Among those present on the occassion included Women Commission's chairperson Urmilaben Patel, Social Welfare Board chairperson Bhavanaben Dave, Education Secretary J S Rana and B B Swain.

UNI