Maharashtra to Honour 331 Athletes, Launch Mission Lakshyavedh
Grand Celebration on National Sports Day
In a grand celebration marking National Sports Day on August 29, the Maharashtra government will felicitate 331 medal-winning athletes at a special ceremony in Pune. The event, hosted at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Mahalunge-Balewadi, promises to be a historic occasion for the state’s sporting fraternity. Alongside the felicitation, the government will inaugurate the ambitious Mission Lakshyavedh high-performance centre, a project designed to provide international-level training facilities to budding athletes.
The event, scheduled to begin at 4 pm in the weightlifting hall of the complex, will be attended by dignitaries including deputy chief minister and Pune guardian minister Ajit Pawar, union minister of state Muralidhar Mohol, higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil, agriculture minister Dattatraya Bharane, and sports minister Manikrao Kokate. Members of Parliament, legislators, senior officials, coaches, and notable sportspersons will also grace the occasion. Nearly 300 athletes, 100 coaches, and 100 officials are expected to participate.
Rewarding Sporting Excellence
Maharashtra achieved a stellar performance earlier this year at the National Games held in Uttarakhand, securing 201 medals, including 55 gold, 70 silver, and 76 bronze. With this feat, the state emerged as the top-ranking contingent among all participants.
To recognize this achievement, the government has announced generous cash awards for the medal winners. Gold medallists will receive ₹7 lakh each, silver medallists ₹5 lakh each, and bronze medallists ₹3 lakh each. Coaches and mentors will also be rewarded with ₹50,000, ₹30,000, and ₹20,000 depending on the level of achievement. Altogether, the government will distribute ₹28.70 crore as part of the awards.
Among the athletes to be honoured are Olympic medallist Swapnil Kusale, Asian medallist Rahi Sarnobat, Olympian Devendra Valmiki, and World Champion Priyanka Ingle. However, the star of the ceremony will be Aditi Hegde, who created history by winning eight medals at the Khelo India Youth Games 2025. She will receive a cash prize of ₹32 lakh, making her one of the highest individual awardees of the function.
Mission Lakshyavedh: Maharashtra’s Sports Vision
The highlight of the celebration will be the unveiling of the emblem of Mission Lakshyavedh, Maharashtra’s ambitious sports development project. With an annual budget of ₹160 crore sanctioned by the state government, the initiative seeks to provide world-class training in 12 sports disciplines.
In its first phase, six sports have been selected: athletics, hockey, wrestling, weightlifting, rowing, and lawn tennis. The high-performance centre will offer cutting-edge facilities, scientific support, and expert coaching to help state athletes prepare for national and international competitions.
Speaking ahead of the event, Sudhir More, Director of Sports and Youth Services, said, “The unveiling of the Mission Lakshyavedh emblem will mark a transformative chapter for sports in Maharashtra. With dedicated resources and modern infrastructure, our athletes will receive the kind of training they need to excel globally.”
Empowering Athletes and Coaches
The initiative goes beyond just recognizing sporting achievements. By investing in structured training and creating a robust support system for athletes, the state aims to build a sustainable ecosystem for sports. The inclusion of coaches and mentors in the awards distribution also reflects the government’s recognition of the pivotal role they play in nurturing talent.
With cash rewards, infrastructural development, and a long-term training vision, Maharashtra is positioning itself as a frontrunner in sports promotion in India. The initiative is expected to inspire young athletes to pursue excellence with greater determination and to elevate the state’s standing in future national and international events.
Looking Ahead
The dual celebration of honouring athletes and launching Mission Lakshyavedh highlights Maharashtra’s commitment to sports as a crucial pillar of youth empowerment and state pride. By rewarding achievements and laying a foundation for future success, the government is sending a strong message about the value of discipline, dedication, and sporting spirit.
As the athletes, coaches, and officials gather at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, the state celebrates not just past victories but also future possibilities. With its ambitious vision, Maharashtra is set to create a new era of sporting excellence.
