‘Society’s united efforts can produce champions from city’

SJAN fetes Fadnavis for hat-trick of wins in State Assembly elections

Terming the Sports Journalists’ Association of Nagpur (SJAN) as the real fourth estate of the society, MLA Devendra Fadnavis, re-elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the third consecutive term, exhorted SJAN to act as bridge between sportspersons, bureaucracy and politics for the betterment of sports in the region.
“SJAN has made immense contribution in development of sports in the city and to me it is the real fourth estate of the society. For further development of sports and sportspersons, I expect SJAN to work as a bridge between sportspersons, bureaucracy and politics,” Fadnavis said, while replying to his felicitation by SJAN for making a hat-trick of wins in the State Assembly elections.
“The sports scribes of the city cover all the sporting action very well. The space they give to these news not only makes the players happy but also their parents proud. This encourages them to continue with sports. If the bureaucracy, politics and society come together, I am sure Nagpur will be able to produce players of international level. This is where the SJAN has to play an important role, of being a bridge,” Fadnavis said to the gathering which included representatives of various sports bodies of the city and sports lovers.
At the outset, Fadnavis was handed over a citation by Praveen Darade, District Collector, Prashant Vaidya, former international cricketer and B C Bhartia, President, Vidarbha Hockey Association on behalf of SJAN.
Speaking on the occasion, Vaidya expressed happiness on being part of the first function organised by the sports body in its new office premises. “It’s a dream come true for SJAN to get their own office for which they were trying hard since long. This big place, I hope, will help them think and plan big and better ideas for further development of sports in the region,” he said.
In his address, Bhartia congratulated SJAN and Fadnavis and hoped for positive reporting from the sports journalists. “There are times when small paper cuttings with positive reports can help players in many ways. To promote sports in the region it is important to project our sportspersons in a positive way which will come with positive reporting,” the VHA chief said.
Chief guest on the occasion, Darade, citing a couple of examples, said that sports should be looked upon as a career. “For encouraging young sportspersons to take sports as a career, I think the role of these sports associations is very important. There is no constraint on the finance coming for hard-working and deserving players. There is five per cent sports quota in government job for the class 3 and 4 posts. Direct posting to class 1 and 2 will attract more players taking sports as career,” said Darade.
Dr Ram Thakur, President, SJAN and Naresh Shelke, Vice-President made the introductory remarks. Kishor Bagde, Joint Secretary conducted the proceedings and proposed a vote of thanks. (Report courtesy The Hitavada)