Players decorate court with earthen lamps, rangoli and candles; guests perform Diwali puja
Lucknow: The handball court at K.D. Singh Babu Stadium was illuminated with earthen lamps and candles as players celebrated Chhoti Diwali on Saturday. The players decorated the court with diyas and colourful rangoli, turning the sporting venue into a festive space.
The programme was organised under the guidance of handball coach Mohammad Tauheed, who coordinated the preparations and led the players in decorating the court.
Dr Anandeshwar Pandey, Executive Director of Handball Association India and General Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association and Uttar Pradesh Handball Association, attended the event as the chief guest. T.P. Haveliya, Joint Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association, was the guest of honour. Both performed the Diwali puja and extended festive greetings to the players.
Manish Kakkar, General Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Wushu Association, and Dr Sumant Pandey, Secretary of the Lucknow District Handball Association, also participated in the prayers.
The guests encouraged the players to bring the same brightness to their sporting careers as the lamps brought to the court. They wished them success and said their performances and achievements should earn them recognition in the sporting arena.
Members of the handball fraternity, including Salman Chaudhary, Sanjay Pandey, Sudhir Kumar, Nand Lal, Rakesh Bhatt, Anoop Kishore Sharma, Alok Mishra, Ashad Khan and Nadeem Ahmed, were present. Gymnastics coach Ravikant Yadav, boxing coach Kripashankar and Neeraj Kumar Singh from the Regional Sports Office also attended the celebration.
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