The Madhya Pradesh government has today decided to declare Malkhamb as State Sport. It has also decided to start a new scheme called “Mission Olympics-2020”, for special coaching to selected players of the state to represent the country in Olympics-2020.
Malkhamb is one of the most ancient sports of India. Its technique is traditional and many sports techniques have been derived from it. It ensures exercise of every part of body in minimum time. Malkhamb players can specially excel in wrestling, gymnastics, pole vault and other sports. Decision to declare Malkhamb as State Sport has been taken in view of all these factors.
Under Mission Olympics-2020 scheme by the Shivraj Singh Chauhan Government, talented players selected at minimum nine years of age will be coached. Services of players of international repute would be availed for each sport.
As many as seventy-six players of the state will be sent for two months in selected foreign coaching institutions. They will also be sent to selected coaching institutions in the country for one month for high-level coaching. A sum of Rs 28.37 crore is estimated to be spent on the scheme during the 12th Five-Year Plan.
