On the evening of Wednesday 13th February Shri Narendra Modi addressed the concluding ceremony of Khel Mahakumbh 2012-2013. Shri Modi came down heavily against the proposed decision of the International Olympic Committee to abolish wrestling from the Olympics and strongly urged the Prime Minister and the Government of India to take the lead and oppose this decision. He added that to oppose a sport like wrestling in the name of modernity is an insult to wrestling, which has been a part of our society since the Mahabharata and been in the Olympics since 1890s. “There must be no ‘games’ in sports! (
Ramat ma Ramat na chale)” he affirmed.
On the issue the Chief Minister further said that this news is not good news for any sports lover and that if it is removed in the name of “modernity” a very old sport will decline. Shri Modi said that we should not wait for the decision, which is expected in September 2013 but take the initiative much earlier. He suggested that we form a group, get together and present our voice with strength. “You do not need to be a wrestler. A great sport is being insulted. We must show our strength and present our views,” he pointed out.
