18.04.2025: Maharashtra Leads the Nation in Sports and Multiple Sectors- Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan

Publish Date: April 18, 2025

18.04.2025: Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan presented the ‘Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Awards’ for 2022-23 and 2023-24 to sportspersons at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune.Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Minister of Higher and Technical Education Chandrakant Patil, Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare Dattatraya Bharne, Minister of Protocol Jaykumar Rawal, Deputy Speaker of Legislative Assembly Anna Bansode, people's representatives, Sr govt officers, Recipients of the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Lifetime Achievement Awards, Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Awardees, Sports Coach and sports Administrators were present.

Maharashtra Leads the Nation in Sports and Multiple Sectors- Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan

Pune, April 18, 2025: Maharashtra Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan highlighted the state’s leadership in industry, education, social reform, and sports during the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Awards ceremony held at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune.

The Governor emphasized the importance of encouraging children to participate in various sports from a young age to achieve success in international competitions. He acknowledged the significant contributions of female and differently-abled athletes in recent years and expressed confidence in Maharashtra’s continued dominance in all sports disciplines.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged award recipients to guide and mentor emerging athletes, drawing parallels between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s leadership and the role of sports achievers in inspiring the youth. He commended veteran badminton player Pradeep Gandhe and former national kabaddi player Shakuntala Khatawkar, who received the Lifetime Achievement Awards for 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced increased funding for the sports department and directed that the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Awards be distributed annually. Sports Minister Dattatraya Bharane highlighted that 5% of government jobs are reserved for athletes, with 128 athletes directly appointed to government positions to date.

A total of 159 awards were presented during the ceremony, including Lifetime Achievement Awards, awards for differently-abled athletes, player awards, direct awards, the Jijamata Award for outstanding sports mentors, and Adventure Sports Awards for the years 2022-23 and 2023-24.