Udupi: Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot emphasized the significance of sports in fostering teamwork, discipline, and equality among participants while addressing the closing ceremony of Karnataka State Games 2025 in Udupi on January 23. He highlighted how sports reduce stress, boost mental well-being, and enhance decision-making skills, calling for their integration into daily life for holistic personality development.
The Governor commended the central government’s initiatives, such as Khelo India, for inspiring youth and recognizing emerging talent. He also praised the Karnataka government for its efforts, including financial rewards and job reservations for athletes.
Home Minister G. Parameshwara dismissed the misconception that sports hinder academics, citing his own success in balancing both. He proposed Tumakuru, his home district, as the next venue for the State Games, showcasing its ₹58-crore state-of-the-art stadium.
Karnataka Olympics Association President K. Govindaraju stressed that sports transcend barriers of caste, religion, and politics. He lauded Karnataka for being the first state to reserve 3% of police and Forest Department jobs for athletes and urged the government to include sports in pre-university curricula.
The event also recognized outstanding athletes. Zafar Khan from Belagavi was named Best Male Athlete with 1,016 points, while Niollo Anna Cornelio from Bengaluru earned the Best Female Athlete title with 1,005 points.
The Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district administrations were praised for successfully organizing the games, which ran from January 17. Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna reiterated the need for a dedicated cricket stadium in the district.
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