To encourage and promote Sports culture in Maharashtra, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Welfare, under Vinod Tawde’s leadership aimed to aid the spread of sports and related activity across the state.
The core mission of the department was to encourage Indian sports and games and help in creating international recognition for these games; development of traditional Indian events that highlight athletic skills into adventure sports.
Furthermore, the department has charted ‘Vision 2020’ to hunt natural athletes from various districts of the state and groom them for the Olympics 2020 games and other international events.
Khelo India Youth Games 2019
Maharashtra got the honour of hosting the ‘Khelo India Youth Games 2019’ and it was a massive force towards strengthening the sports culture at the grassroots in the state. The department, under then Minister Vinod Tawde, aimed to nurture the young athletes towards excellence and take concrete steps towards strengthening the sports culture of the nation. Team Maharashtra were crowned winners as they amassed 228 medals, comprising 85 gold, 62 silver and 81 bronze, dominating almost all the disciples of this incredible competition.
Mission 1 Million
In preparation for FIFA Under 17 World Cup 2018 hosted in India, PM Narendra Modi has urged youths to participate in ‘Mission 11 Million’, a nationwide program to foster the love for football and contribute to the promotion of sports culture in India. Taking this initiative forward, Vinod Tawde launched an ambitious project ‘Maharashtra Mission 1 Million’, where students from over 30,000 schools will simultaneously play football in support of Team India in the upcoming FIFA Under 17 World Cup. This initiative was a massive success which saw the participation of 25,62,353 individuals across age groups, from all walks of life. This was a massive celebration of football fever which set the wheels of ‘Mission 11 Million’ in motion.
FIFA Under 17 World Cup 2018
Maharashtra was presented with the honour to host the FIFA Under 17 World Cup 2018. The Department, under Vinod Tawde’s leadership, took up this opportunity to encourage the passion for sports at all levels across the state. Various programs were organised in schools, colleges, universities across the state and enthusiastically supporting this, the entire state was engulfed with football fever.
Direct Employment for Sportspersons
Applauding the sheer determination and dedication of sportspersons towards the field of Sports, the department, under Vinod Tawde’s leadership, had introduced a provision for direct employment of award-winning Sports personnel who received accolades at the national and international level to help them continue their passion for sports.
International Yoga Day
Following the inspiring initiative of Honorable PM Narendra Modi ji, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Welfare, under Vinod Tawde’s leadership, took an active interest in the promotion of Yoga Day across the state. The department encouraged the schools and sports associations across the state to observe Yoga Day on 21st June and there was massive participation seen from all the state.
Extra Marks and Scholarship for Sportspersons
To develop the sports inclination in students from the very beginning, the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, under Vinod Tawde’s leadership, decided to award extra marks for sportsmen in SSC and HSC exams. The students who participated at State, National and International levels were awarded 25 marks in the HSC and SSC Finals.
Further, under Vinod Tawde’s leadership, special scholarships were established for promising athletes from Maharashtra as they trained for Olympics 2020 through a special program called ‘Mission Olympics 2020’. This included the provision of infrastructure and training in preparation for the Olympics and various competitions on the international level.
Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex made Sports exclusive
Vinod Tawde, in his role as the Sports Minister, was keen on safeguarding the needs of the sportspersons. To ensure this, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Welfare, under Tawde’s leadership mandated that Pune’s Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex and Stadium at Mahlunge Balewadi was to be exclusively used for sports-related activities only. This resulted in ensuring that the grand sports complex was no longer rented out for weddings and other social events. This was put in action to emphasise the priority the department holds for Sports and corresponding activities.
Shiv Chhatrapati Kreeda Award
In his term as the Sports Minister, Vinod Tawde laid an emphasis on talent and its recognition without any ulterior methods. He insisted on recognition of a sportsman purely based on talent. This was also reflected in the nominations and selection of the prestigious state sports award ‘The Shiv Chhatrapati Kreeda Award’. By implementing a transparent, corruption-free method, Tawde made way for the recognition and felicitation of real talent and exceptional individuals who contributed to the field of sports in Maharashtra.