Among the news of the Paris Olympics and the increasing sports participation from India, the Union Sports Minister of India caught attention after he congratulated Manu Bhakar- The sole medalist for the Paris Olympics 2024.
Mansukh Mandaviya congratulates Manu Bhakar for bringing laurels to India
The Paris Olympics has started and the first medal for India has been brought by Manu Bhaskar who won a bronze medal in the women’s 10m Air Pistol event. with a score of 221.7. Bhaker was in the second position till the second last shot but the Indian fell behind after Korea’s Kim Yeji shot 10.5 in response to her 10.3, ruling her out of the gold medal shoot-off.
Congratulating Manu on the win
A proud moment, @realmanubhaker wins Bharat's first medal, a BRONZE in Women’s 10m Air Pistol at #ParisOlympic2024!
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) July 28, 2024
Congratulations Manu, you have displayed your skill & dedication, you have become 1st woman shooter to win an Olympic medal for Bharat! #Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/VQxMAIxlVk
Bhaker will once again be in action during the 10 m air pistol mixed team competition qualification rounds along with Sarabjot Singh from 12:45 PM onwards Tomorrow. Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh progressed to the 10m air pistol mixed team bronze medal match at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Monday.
Bhaker-Sarabjot shot 580 in the three series to finish third, ahead of the Republic of Korea’s Oh Ye Jin and Lee Wonho, in the qualification round. The two teams will feature in the bronze medal match tomorrow at 1:00 PM IST where Bhaker will eye her second bronze at the Chateauroux.
Mansukh Mandaviya: Sports minister of India in 2024
Mansukh Mandaviya is currently the Union sports minister of India. He took charge of the sports ministry on the 11th June 2024 and is in charge of the sports ministry.
Before handling the charge of the sports ministry, he handled the leadership of the Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and has been actively engaged in the various other ministries.
Born on 1 June 1972 in Hanol in Palitana Taluka of Bhavnagar district of Gujarat State. He was raised beside three other brothers in the middle class family. Mansukh has been married to Neeta Mandaviya since 1995, and together they have two children.
After completing his M.A. in political science from Bhavnagar University and a Ph.D. from the Gujarat Institute of Development Research. He has dedicated his career to politics and has served as a minister for various posts during his tenure. He is currently part of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Education qualification
Education qualification of Mansukh Mandaviya, the current Sports Minister of India:
| Degree | Field of Study | Institution | Year |
| Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) | Political Science | Bhavnagar University | 2014 |
| Master’s Degree (M.A.) | Political Science | Bhavnagar University | 2016 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) | Political Science | Gujarat Institute of Development Research | N/A |
Political background
He joined politics at the very young age of 38 and he has served at various positions from then.
| Time Period | Position Served |
| 2002-2007 | Member of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly for Palitana |
| 2010 | Chairman, Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation Limited |
| 2012-2018 | Member of Rajya Sabha |
| 2013 | State Secretary of BJP, Gujarat |
| 2015 | Youngest General Secretary of BJP, Gujarat |
| 2016-2019 | Minister of State for Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Shipping and Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers |
| 2018 – 2 April 2024 | Re-elected as Member of Rajya Sabha |
| 2019 | Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers |
| 2021 | Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers |
| 2024 | Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports |
Congratulating Manu on the win, Mansukh highlighted the “Khelo India” Scheme started by PM Narendra Modi. Talking on the same minister said that Manu has been part of this scheme and this helped her get the kind of training and sports support she needed for her Olympics. He added that a whopping amount of rupees 2 crore was spent on her training and she went to Germany and Switzerland for the same.
#WATCH | Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya says, "By winning the first Bronze medal in #ParisOlympics, #ManuBhaker has made India proud. In her interaction, she said that she has been a part of 'Khelo India'. I am delighted to tell you that PM Modi started 'Khelo India' and… pic.twitter.com/d7FmXfg82K
— ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2024
“Around Rs 2 crore was spent on Manu Bhaker’s training. She was sent to Germany and Switzerland for training. Financial help was provided which was needed for her to hire a coach who she wanted. We are providing this ecosystem to all athletes so that they give best performance at national and international competitions. I am confident that our athletes will perform well in Paris Olympics too,” he added.
