Bhopal, February 22 Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Sunday that Madhya Pradesh is emerging as an important sports center for "divyang" (specially-abled) people, and several players from the state have made their mark at national and international levels.
Yadav was speaking after inaugurating the National Divyang Cricket Sports Festival here, which features 350 players from 25 teams and will continue until February 26.
The chief minister went to the cricket pitch, interacted with players, and inaugurated the match by playing a ball.
"Madhya Pradesh is emerging as an important center for sports for divyang people. Many players from the state have made a name nationally and internationally," he said, addressing the sportspersons.
Referring to the continuous 100-hour cricket being played as part of the event, Yadav said the effort was not merely aimed at setting a record.
Yadav said Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the term "divyang" in place of "viklang," in line with Indian cultural ethos.
"This initiative ended the sense of inferiority associated with the word "viklang" and encouraged indomitable willpower to face challenging circumstances," he said.
The sports festival has been jointly organized by Kushabhau Thackeray Nyas and the International Public Policy Research Centre.