Narendra Modi extends a helping hand to sportspersons in Gujarat

Gujarat's sports fraternity is pleasantly surprised by the drastic change they have experienced in the treatment they have got from the state government.

In the past, when sportspersons had to fight red-tapism just to meet the sports minister, chief minister Narendra Modi's recent sporting gestures have pleased them no end.

From inviting the state's top sportspersons of yesteryear to meeting young emerging stars, Modi is taking it all seriously.

On Thursday, he met young paddlers of the state and Gujarat State Table Tennis Association officials and gave them a hearing in Gandhinagar.

"It was a good, interactive session. Had there been less people, it would have been fantastic," said Harmeet Desai, India's junior number one.

GSTTA president Vipul Mitra and his team were on cloud nine. "I haven't met any CM in the past but I know he (Modi) is different.

When I informed him about hosting a national TT competition in October, he said 'you can use our Khokra complex.

Just ensure that it doesn't clash with AMC elections'. That was very encouraging for me," said Haresh Sangtani, GSTTA secretary, who is also joint secretary of TTFI.

According to GSTTA officials, Modi's interest in table tennis will benefit players in the future. "These are encouraging signs. If he shows interest, corporate houses will also support us, and solve our sponsorship issue," Sangtani said.

It is to be recalled, after making chess compulsory in schools in the state in 2008, Modi made his intentions clear: Convert Gujarat from a sporting desert into an oasis.

In the same year he took over as Gujarat Cricket Association president, a step towards understanding sports. He then followed it by announcing 2010 as Sports Year.

Modi made his intentions about chess clear when he felicitated world champion Vishy Anand and in a joint venture pledged to promote the game all over the state.

At the same venue, he formed an august gallery of sports stalwarts who have made the state proud.

"It was a great gesture. I guess he is first Gujarat chief minister who is taking interest in sportspersons who have won laurels for the state and country.

This will encourage youngsters. And if it is coming from the top of the organisation, it will function well," said Partho Ganguli, former badminton champion and Arjuna award winner.

Another Arjuna awardee, Sudhir Parab, observed that the state government should have a definite sports policy. "The first step has been taken, I hope the next follows," he said.

Modi made his intentions about chess clear when he felicitated world champion Vishy Anand and in a joint venture pledged to promote the game all over the state.

At the same venue, he formed an august gallery of sports stalwarts who have made the state proud.

If Modi's first step has enabled him to secure a special place in the hearts of sportspersons, it has also helped him to heal the scars of the 2002 riots. This was clearly visible when Modi was seen holding cricket star Yusuf Pathan's hand firmly.