Gujarat is becoming sports hub of India: Jayaram Gamit at opening ceremony of Asian Weightlifting Championship
Presence of more than 400 players, technicians and coaches from 29 countries of Asia including India
Gandhinagar, India. May 12, 2026: The grand inauguration ceremony of the Asian Weightlifting Championship 2026 was held at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Sports Dr. Jairam Gamit. In which approximately more than 400 players, technicians and coaches from 29 countries of Asia, including India, are participating.
On this occasion, Gujarat’s Minister of State for Sports, Jairam Gamit, said that Gujarat is now attracting the world’s attention not only in development but also in the international sports sector. Such high-level international competitions held in Gujarat will prove to be very important for our local and Indian players. Such events will help prepare the players to meet international standards and boost their confidence.
The Minister of State said that, in taking forward the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Khelo India’ and ‘Khelo Bharat’, the Gujarat government has prepared world-class infrastructure for sports. In the state, 39 sports schools and centres of excellence are being set up at the district level to identify talents from the grassroots level and provide them with modern training. Besides, a high-performance centre for athletes will also be operational in Gandhinagar by 2027.
The Minister said that the Commonwealth Games are going to be organised in Ahmedabad in 2030. India is moving forward with firm determination to host the Olympic Games in 2036. The ‘World Police and Fire Games’ to be organized in the year 2029 will also increase Gujarat’s capacity as a host. All these efforts will lead Gujarat to become an ideal sports state not only for the country but also for the world.
International Weightlifting Federation President Mohammad Hassan Jalud said that we are ready to provide all support to India for such successful world-class competitions. It is commendable that India has successfully organised this event for players from 29 countries, even in the current war situation.
He thanked the Central and State Governments, the Asian Weightlifting Federation and the Indian Weightlifting Federation for this successful event and wished the players a medal.
Asian Weightlifting Federation President Mohammad Bin Yousef Alamna thanked the organizers for the beautiful organization of the championship and said that we should be proud that we are all Asians as one family. He wished the players from Asian countries success in sports.
In this program, Indian Weightlifting Federation President Sahadev Yadav and Sabina Yadav delivered the welcome address and gave detailed information about the entire competition.
Gandhinagar Mayor Miraben Patel, MP Haribhai Patel, MLA Ritaben Patel, Asian Weightlifting Federation General Secretary Mohammad Ahmed Al Harbi, Sports Authority of Gujarat Director General I.R. Wala, Weightlifting Federation officials and players were present on this occasion. 
