- Acharya Devvrat says sport, natural farming and values can together build a stronger India
- Governor warns that mobile and screen addiction is harming children’s future and urges early identification of sporting talent
- Kurukshetra Gurukul experience shows disciplined training can turn ordinary children into international gold medallists, he says
- Former MP Narhari Amin highlights 33-fold rise in sports budget and ₹5 lakh annual scholarships for over 2,800 athletes
- Sports journalists honour outstanding Gujarat athletes, coaches and contributors, with Mayur Patel and Jayprakash Patel receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards
NE SPORTS BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, AUG 29
Get children off the screen and onto the playing field—that was Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat’s action-oriented message on National Sports Day as he called for a generation that is not only fitter and stronger, but also disciplined, resilient and rooted in values.
Addressing a grand annual sports awards ceremony organised in Ahmedabad by the Sports Journalists Association of Gujarat (SJAG) in association with the Sports Authority of Gujarat, Devvrat said sports must become an integral part of the lives of young people and play a central role in building a healthy, disciplined and strong India.
The ceremony was held under the Governor’s chairmanship in the presence of former Rajya Sabha MP Narhari Amin, with talented athletes, coaches and other personalities who have made outstanding contributions to Gujarat’s sporting landscape felicitated for their achievements.
“The best way out of screen addiction is the playground”
In his inspiring address, Devvrat expressed concern over the growing addiction to mobile phones and screens among children, warning that excessive screen dependence could damage their future.
He stressed that the playground offers one of the most effective ways to channel the enormous energy of children in a positive direction.
If that energy is not provided with the right direction, he cautioned, it could lead young people astray.
Drawing on his experiences at Gurukul Kurukshetra, the Governor said discipline and sports could transform the lives of children who might otherwise never have imagined competing at the highest level.
He recalled how ordinary children trained in a disciplined environment could go on to win international gold medals and bring glory to the country.
Devvrat cited the inspiring examples of Rajendra, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist wrestler and student of Gurukul Kurukshetra, as well as Haryana senior police officers and sportspersons Jorawar Singh and Surendra, to underline the transformative power of sport.
Spot talent at five, train it scientifically
The Governor called for sporting talent among children to be identified as early as five years of age and nurtured through scientific methods of training.
Early identification, he said, could help children develop their natural sporting abilities systematically instead of leaving talent to chance.
His message extended beyond medals and sporting success.
He emphasised the importance of discipline, physical fitness, character and holistic development, arguing that sport can help young people build qualities that remain valuable throughout life.
Devvrat also linked the pursuit of fitness with healthier food and a healthier environment, calling for the adoption of natural farming and greater environmental protection as part of the effort to build a healthy and powerful India.
His larger message was clear: a strong nation needs physically fit citizens, disciplined youth, healthy food and a protected environment.
₹5 lakh scholarship and global coaching for 2,800+ athletes
Former Rajya Sabha MP Narhari Amin highlighted the growing policy and financial support for Indian sport.
He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the sports budget had witnessed a 33-fold increase.
According to Amin, more than 2,800 athletes are being provided annual scholarships of ₹5 lakh, along with world-class coaching under various schemes.
He also highlighted the emergence of modern sporting infrastructure in Gujarat, including the state-of-the-art Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad.
Such facilities, combined with financial assistance and high-quality coaching, he said, were helping create an ecosystem in which Gujarat’s athletes could compete confidently at the global level and bring greater recognition to the country.
Two sports veterans honoured for lifelong service
The ceremony also celebrated two veterans whose contributions have left a lasting imprint on Gujarat’s sporting history.
The prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred on Mayur Patel, who has served as coach to internationally renowned chess champion Viswanathan Anand, and Jayprakash Patel, who has made an extensive and selfless contribution to Gujarat cricket and helped nurture several Ranji Trophy players.
Their recognition underscored the fact that sporting success is built not only by athletes but also by the coaches and mentors who identify talent, sharpen skills and remain behind the scenes throughout an athlete’s journey.
17-plus sporting talents take the spotlight
More than 17 talented athletes and leading contributors from Gujarat’s sporting fraternity were also felicitated during the ceremony.
They were presented trophies and certificates in recognition of their outstanding contribution to sport in the State.
The awards provided an opportunity to celebrate sporting excellence across disciplines while also recognising the wider ecosystem of coaches, administrators, journalists and mentors who help athletes progress from the grassroots to competitive platforms.
From screen time to sporting time
The National Sports Day celebration ultimately carried a message that extends well beyond the award ceremony.
For a generation increasingly surrounded by smartphones, digital entertainment and sedentary lifestyles, the Governor’s appeal to return children to playgrounds acquires particular relevance.
A sporting field can offer lessons that no screen can replicate—teamwork, discipline, resilience, leadership, competition, failure, recovery and the joy of achievement.
And when talent is identified early, trained scientifically and supported through quality infrastructure, coaching and financial assistance, the journey from a neighbourhood playground to an international podium becomes more achievable.
The ceremony thus became more than a celebration of those who have already succeeded.
It was a call to create the next generation of champions.
And perhaps the most powerful takeaway from National Sports Day in Gujarat was simple:
Put the phone down. Step onto the field. Discover the talent within. And build a stronger India through sport, health and character.
