RAJYA SABHA MP KARTIKEYA SHARMA HONOURS PLAYERS, SAYS HARYANA STANDS FIRMLY WITH SPORTING TALENT
Face2News/Jind
A grand felicitation ceremony was organised in village Garhwali to honour Ashish Goyat of Garhwali village and Khushbu Malik of Jind, who brought pride to the nation by winning gold medals at the Asia Lacrosse Championship held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 1 to 6 February. Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Kartikeya Sharma attended the programme as the chief guest and felicitated both the players for their historic achievement.
Addressing the gathering, MP Kartikeya Sharma said that players like Ashish Goyat and Khushbu Malik are a source of inspiration for today’s youth. Winning a gold medal at the international level despite limited resources is a remarkable achievement. Such athletes deserve continuous support from society and the government so that they can keep bringing laurels to the country in the future.
He said that when children excel and bring glory to their village, parents and region, the effort is not theirs alone. The contribution of parents, teachers, coaches and everyone who supports and motivates them is equally important. No one can move ahead in life without the guidance of parents and gurus. With the blessings of elders and strong determination, any height can be achieved.
The MP said that there is no shortage of talent among the youth of the country. What is needed is the right opportunity and proper guidance. Once these are provided, Indian youth can shine at both national and international levels. He expressed confidence that in the coming years, including at events like the Olympics, such players will continue to perform with excellence and make the country proud. He added that the Haryana government has always been sensitive towards sports and is fully committed to the honour, encouragement and welfare of sportspersons.
Former BJP candidate from Julana, Captain Yogesh Bairagi, and former candidate from Baroda, Pradeep Sangwan, were present as special guests. Captain Yogesh Bairagi said that achieving success at the international level after emerging from a rural background is not easy, and this achievement is a matter of pride for the entire region.
The programme was conducted by Sudhir Buana, District President of the Sarpanch Association, who said that this was a historic moment for village Garhwali and that future generations would draw inspiration from these players. Chairman of the Market Committee Meenu Sharma, coach Somnath, coach Rajpal, Chap Singh Rathi, former sarpanch Rajesh Goyat, Anil and several other dignitaries and villagers were also present on the occasion.
It is noteworthy that at the Asia Lacrosse Championship, the Indian women’s team defeated Pakistan convincingly by 20–9, while the men’s team registered an exciting 7–5 victory over Iraq to secure gold medals and create history. Players from Jind district, Khushbu Malik and Ashish Goyat, along with coach Rajpal, played a significant role in this historic double triumph through disciplined play, strong positioning and solid defence, earning widespread appreciation from the coaching staff and spectators alike.