27th July 2023, Thursday, GREATER NOIDA – The opening ceremony for 2023 Asian Youth (Boys & Girls), and Junior (Men & Women) Weightlifting Championships was held at Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida Uttar Pradesh.
The chief guest for this occasion was Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Shri. Anurag Singh Thakur. Besides him dignitaries present on the occasion were International Weightlifting Federation President, Mr. Mohammed Jalood, Asian Weightlifting President, Mr. Mohammed Yousef Al Mana, Asian Weightlifting Federation General Secretary Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Alharbi and Indian Weightlifting Federation President Mr. Sahdev Yadav.
The program started with the lighting of the lamp followed by speeches by all the dignitaries.
The Indian Weightlifting Federation’s President Mr. Sahdev Yadav welcomes everyone in the opening ceremony. He also thanked all the sponsors i.e. ONGC, IOCL, OIL, HPCL, BPCL, GAIL, Bisleri, Shiv naresh, Nelco, Eleiko. A special thanks to Gautam Budha University and Department of Sports, Government of Uttar Pradesh for providing the infrastructure. Lastly we thank the Hon’ble Minister for providing all the support without which it would have been impossible to host this championship.
The Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Minister of Information and Broadcasting Shri. Anurag Singh Thakur spoke at length about the contribution of weightlifters specially women in the sport of weightlifting. He also congratulated Indian Weightlifting Federation President Mr. Sahdev Yadav for organising this championship for the first time in India. He also mentioned that 1000 Khelo India Centres will be open this year in India.
A scintillating and spectacular display of various dances from various states of India to showcase the vibrant culture was performed by Delhi Dance Academy which mesmerised the audience present in the function.
A total number of 220 athletes in both Youth and junior categories from 18 Asian nations are participating in this championship.
SAHDEV YADAV
President
Indian Weightlifting Federation
