‘Corporates should adopt different sports’

 Media Coverage  |  10-04-2025

Dr Darda inaugurates Dinshaw’s Dream Premier League at Butibori

The Chairman of Editorial Board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda has urged corporate houses to come forward and adopt different games to encourage and groom sportspersons enabling India win medals in international sporting events.

Dr Darda was speaking after inaugurating Dinshaw’s Dream Premier League (DPL) Floodlight Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament organised by Dream Cricket Club at Butibori on Friday.

MLA Vikas Thakre, MLC Adv Abhijit Wanjari, chairman of Dream Cricket Club Mujib Pathan, senior lawyer Firdos Mirza, former municipal council chairman Bablu Gautam, former leader of opposition in ZP Atish Umre, former municipal council chairman Vinod Lohkare, president of Unnati Foundation Atul Kotecha and franchise owners shared the dais.

Dr Darda said, corporate houses should patronise different sports to produce winning players. “When these players win medals at the international level, they fulfill the aspirations of 140 crore Indians and make all of them feel proud,” he said. Dr Darda buttressed his view by pointing at the sports culture of China among other nations. He said China was able to shore up its tally of medals in the Olympics due to the emphasis given on sports in the country. “During my visit to China, I saw four to-five-year-old children enrolled themselves in sports academies. They were giving equal importance to academics but sports was their ultimate goal,” he disclosed. Dr Darda said sporting events were no longer restricted to merely playing a game but had become a source of income for many rural families. He gave the example of cricket, the popularity of which had spread to rural areas and produced quality players who then went on to play league matches and earn good money. “The game has changed the lifestyle of many players who come from rural India. Look at our very own Umesh Yadav, a son of a mine worker, who now leads a prosperous life,” he said, adding that there were a number of such players in the country who grabbed the opportunity to change their lives through sports.

Legislator Vikas Thakre, agreed with Dr Darda when he said that India was a cricket crazy country and capable of producing big sportspersons. He congratulated Mujib Pathan for organising the “spectacular cricket league at Butibori.” MLC Adv Abhijit Wanjari noted that the nation is very passionate when it comes to cricket and conceded that the game has reached its prime. “I am hopeful that Butibori too will produce national or international level cricketers,” he said. Mujib Pathan proposed a vote of thanks.

Tournament winner to be richer by ₹3 lakh

The winner of the franchise-based tournament comprising 16 teams stands to win Rs 3 lakh whereas the runners-up will get Rs 1.5 lakh. Six matches are scheduled to be played daily with the final match of the tournament slated for June 11.

Ajay Mohite entertains

with ‘Pushpa’ dialogues

Besides a fire show and an impressive dance performance by children in colourful costumes, dialogues from the blockbuster ‘Pushpa’ added flavour to the glittering inaugural ceremony. Wardha’s Mimicry actor Ajay Mohite entertained the spectators by mouthing dialogues from the hit movie. Later, he also tossed the coin with dignitaries on the field. Dr Darda honoured him by presenting a memento.

Chairman of editorial board of Lokmat Media Group and former member of Rajya Sabha Dr Vijay Darda along with MLA Vikas Thakre, MLC Adv. Abhijit Wanjari, chairman of Dream Cricket Club Mujib Pathan, senior lawyer Firdos Mirza, chairman of Unnati Foundation Atul Kotecha and franchise owners unveiling the trophy of Dinshaw’s Dream Premier League (DPL) Floodlight Tennisball Cricket Tournament at Butibori on Friday.

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