Celebrating Tribal Athletes: Acknowledgment of Lacrosse Champions in Udaipur

Recognition of Lacrosse Achievements

In Jaipur, during his visit to Udaipur, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Durga Das Uike met with international athletes from tribal regions who have made the country proud in the Olympic sport of lacrosse. He praised the remarkable achievements of Sunita Meena, captain of the Indian women's team, and national coach Neeraj Batra.

The minister highlighted the impressive performance of the Indian team at the Asian Lacrosse Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, particularly commending Mohanlal Gameti, the tournament's top scorer, for his extraordinary courage and determination. Despite suffering a severe chin injury that required nine stitches during the match against Iraq, Mohanlal did not give up. He showcased exceptional bravery, confidence, and patriotism by playing in a crucial match against Pakistan, leading to India's historic victory.

On this occasion, Tribal Area Development Minister Babulal Kharadi noted that Rajasthan has emerged as a leading hub for lacrosse in India, with players from Udaipur's tribal regions consistently proving their talent on national and international stages. He expressed optimism that the state government would soon incorporate lacrosse into its sports policy, providing players with better job opportunities.

Udaipur Lok Sabha MP Dr. Mannalal Rawat encouraged the athletes to aim for the Olympics, affirming the central government's commitment to supporting talented players. Additionally, Rajya Sabha MP Chunnilal Garasia, social worker Gajpal Singh Rathore, and Pushkar Teli also motivated the players, wishing them a bright future.

During the event, Udaipur divisional commissioner and lacrosse promoter Pragya Kevalramani shared information about the facilities provided by the Rajasthan government, local representatives, and administration for the development of tribal athletes. She mentioned that Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited (RSMML) is offering financial support to ensure participation of state players in national and international competitions, thus providing numerous talented athletes with opportunities to advance.