Thaindian News

New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) A spanking new wrestling stadium, named after wrestling great Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, who was independent India’s first individual Olympic medallist, was inaugurated by Sports Minister M.S. Gill here Tuesday.

The stadium, located at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium complex, will host the wrestling competition in the Oct 3-14 Commonwealth Games.

Gill dedicated the stadium to Jadhav who won the wrestling bronze medal at the 1952 Olympic Games at Helsinki. Jadhav was awarded Arjuna Award posthumously in 2000.

His son Ranjeet Khashaba Jadhav was felicitated by Gill with a shawl, silver plaque in appreciation and recognition of achievements of his illustrious father. He was also given Rs.3 lakh from the National Welfare Fund for sportspersons.

Gill, said it was his desire to give due recognition to the achievements of Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav.

“Shri Jadhav will always be remembered as the winner of independent India’s first individual Olympic medallist. We are all aware of his achievement,” Gill said.

Gill said naming the stadium after the great wrestler was a small effort on the government’s side to honour the legendary wrestler’s achievement.

Gill said Jadhav should be a source of inspiration for Indian wrestlers.

Beijing Olympics gold medallist wrestler Sushil Kumar was also present at the inauguration.

“We are happy that the stadium has been named after great K. D. Jadhav. It will motivate us to win laurels for our country. We are training hard for the Commonwealth Games and we are hoping a good show,” Sushil said.