Deccan Gymkhana Club will host the Olympic Festival till August 10. They continue the legacy of promoting athletics talent on the occasion of the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. The program aims to celebrate the Olympic spirit and provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills and passion for the sport. In 1920, under the visionary leadership of Sir Dorabji Tata, the Deccan Gymkhana Club was instrumental in sending the first Indian team to the Antwerp Olympics. It is considered to be an important milestone in sports history.
The club’s Honorary General Secretary Mihir Kelkar and Finance Secretary Girish Inamdar said, “We are very proud of our historic contribution to India’s Olympic journey. As we celebrate the centenary of this momentous event, we look forward to hosting an Olympic festival to honor our past and inspire the future. We look forward to the cooperation and participation of the sports community to make this event a success.”
Girish Inamdar further said that the Deccan Gymkhana Club, established in Pune in 1906, has always been at the forefront. To promote sports in India and nurture athletics talent. The Deccan Gymkhana Club provides athletes with the training grounds and resources they need to prepare for the world stage.
During this period Indian teams were not allowed to participate in the Olympic Games, the first attempt was made by Bhagwat from Deccan Gymkhana. He met Sir George Laid and Sir Dorabji Tata. ‘The. If Africans participate in the Olympics, why shouldn’t Indians? He raised such an issue. This effort allowed Indians to enter the international competitive arena of the Olympics. It is a matter of pride that the trials of Indian wrestlers and athletes for the Olympic team were first held in Pune and that too at the Deccan Gymkhana.
Numerous sports stars to be present
Mr. J. C. Owen, a world-renowned athlete, in his book, discusses the Indian field and men’s sports and mainly mentions the Deccan Gymkhana of Pune. In the year 1920, the Deccan Gymkhana organized special matches for women. Earlier, separate matches for women were never held in Pune. Zimma and Phugdi games were also included in this match.
Olympian shooter Anjali Bhagwat and Olympic badminton player Nikhil Kanitkar will inaugurate the special sports fortnight on July 26 at 6 pm. The program will have a ‘talk show’ by Olympian shooter Anjali Bhagwat and Olympic badminton player Nikhil Kanitkar. Then on 27 July at 6 pm Dr. Shirish More’s ‘Talk Show’ on ‘Sports a Career Option’ is included.
India benefited from the churning of this test with the wrestlers Navale and Shinde and the athletes Datar and Chowgule. India participated for the first time in the Olympic Games held in Antwerp. So what a relief the players of Maharashtra got. What a big horizon appeared before the eyes. Deccan Gymkhana provides this great opportunity to Indian athletes.
Muralikant Petkar to host talk show
Talk show and experience sharing by Olympian Muralikant Petkar (Movie: Chandu Champion Real Hero) and Rahul Singh on 28 July 2024 at 6 PM. ‘Talk Show’ by Olympian Vishnu Vardhan and International Cricketer Rahul Tripathi on 9 August 2024 at 6 PM. The festival will also feature various sports activities and competitions. Along with programs to celebrate the Olympic spirit. And provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their talent in various sports. The likes of table tennis, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and swimming.
