Pune: The need of the hour is to bring together various sports administrators in the state and work towards improving the stature of sportspersons from Maharashtra, said Namdev Shirgaonker, Joint Secretary of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

“We have to work towards providing better conditions for the players from Maharashtra and if we as sports administrators work together sportspersons from Maharashtra would achieve greater accolades,” said Shirgaonker, while responding to his felicitation at the hands of historian Babasaheb Purandare.

“Besides the sports administrators, government machinery, sports associations, all need to come together,” Shirgaonker added.
The felicitation ceremony was organised by the State Equestrian Association, which also felicitated well known General Secretary of the Maharashtra Olympic Association, Balasaheb Landge.

Present on the occasion were Pune District Sports Officer Vijay Santan, Jagdish Kadam, Gunesh Purandare and Vinayak Halbe.
The State Equestrian Association also felicitated Asia Cup bronze medallist Viraj Pardeshi, Ajinkya Balwadkar, Shreya Purandare, Aniruddha Mohite, Soham Phade, Sofia Baig.

Shirgaonker said he feels proud to represent Maharashtra and advised sportspersons to chase dreams relentlessly. “Awards will follow,” he added.

“Future looks bright for organising sports events in Maharashtra so the sportspersons need to take advantage and achieve medals at international stage,” Shirgaonker said.