Union Minister Felicitates International Lacrosse Players from Tribal Communities in Udaipur

Udaipur: Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey felicitated international lacrosse players from Rajasthan's tribal region during his visit to Udaipur, praising their achievements and inspiring young tribal athletes to pursue excellence in sports.

The Minister met Sunita Meena, captain of the Indian women's lacrosse team, and national coach Neeraj Batra, commending their dedication, discipline, and contribution to the sport. He said that young athletes from tribal communities are making the country proud by showcasing their talent on the global stage.

Uikey made special mention of India's impressive performance at the Asian Lacrosse Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, highlighting the extraordinary courage of tournament top scorer Mohanlal Gameti. Despite suffering a serious chin injury that required nine stitches during a match against Iraq, Gameti returned to the field against Pakistan and played a crucial role in India's historic victory by scoring the highest number of goals. The Minister described his determination and patriotism as an inspiration for future generations of athletes.

Tribal Area Development Minister Babulal Kharadi said Rajasthan has emerged as a major centre for lacrosse in India, with players from Udaipur's tribal belt consistently excelling at national and international levels. He expressed hope that the state government would soon include lacrosse in its sports policy, creating better employment and development opportunities for players.

Udaipur MP Dr. Mannalal Rawat, Rajya Sabha MP Chunnilal Garasiya, and other dignitaries also encouraged the athletes. Divisional Commissioner Pragya Kevalramani highlighted the financial support provided by Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited (RSMML), which has enabled talented players from tribal areas to compete successfully at national and international events.