At the Kreeda Kendra, outdoor sports activities for youths and indoor activities for senior citizens will be organised at least twice a week. At the Kreeda Kendra, outdoor sports activities for youths and indoor activities for senior citizens will be organised at least twice a week.

Seeking to expand base and connect youths in villages with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its ideology, Kreeda Bharti, an off-shoot of the outfit, has started organising “mini Olympics” in rural parts of Uttar Pradesh. While one such 15-day event was organised in Hardoi district, which concluded on June 15, the next one is planned in Jhansi from July 1.

The organisation has also put on fast track its plan to set up Kreeda Kendra (sports centres) at district and village level across the state in next one year. At the Kreeda Kendra, outdoor sports activities for youths and indoor activities for senior citizens will be organised at least twice a week.

In the “mini rural Olympics”held at Hardoi, around 2,000 youths of Awadh Prant took part in various sports activities including kabaddi, archery, kho-kho, discus throw, javelin throw, long jump, badminton, football, swimming, hockey and gymnastics.Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports (Independent Charge) Sarbananda Sonowal was the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony on concluding day on June 15.

Kreeda Bharti national president and former cricketer Chetan Chauhan said the activities under “mini rural Olympics” was not aimed at any political purpose, but was being organised to provide rural youths an opportunity to display their sporting skills. “Our another aim is to promote traditional Indian and rural games,” he added.

Chauhan said while Kreeda Bharti is already active in Maharasthra and Gujarat, its activities are being expanded to other states. He said, one such “mini rural Olympics” was organised in Siliguri in West Bengal, a few days ago.

Chauhan added that he has sent a proposal to the Union Ministry for Youth Affairs and Sports to engage Kreeda Bharti as partner in organising sports activities and training camps for youths in rural areas. “I met the minister in Hardoi and he has assured that Centre was considering our proposal,” Chauhan said.

Awadh Prant president of Kreeda Bharti, Awanish Singh, said that “rural mini Olympics” was organised at a college campus in Hardoi with support of local games’ teachers who participated in the event as umpires and referee. Singh said that no registration amount is charged from the youths for participating in the competition and first, second and third position holders in each event are given cash prize, memento and certificate.

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