Fit India Movement Hosts Friendly Cricket Match to Promote Fitness
A Celebration of Fitness and Community
On Sunday, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Fit India Movement organized the "Fit India Hit India" Friendly Cricket Match at the Air India Ground in Vakola. This event brought together public servants, celebrities, fitness advocates, and sports fans for an evening focused on promoting fitness and community engagement. The match featured the GST & Customs Amateur Team competing against the Mumbai Heroes in front of an enthusiastic audience in Mumbai.
Encouraging Active Lifestyles
According to a release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB), this match was part of the Government of India's Fit India Movement initiative, aimed at fostering both physical and mental health through sports. The event was honored by the presence of Prachi Saroop, Principal Chief Commissioner (CGST), Mumbai, who served as the Chief Guest, alongside BB Gupta, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai Zone, as the Guest of Honour.
Fostering a Fitness Culture
Pankaj Singh, Commissioner CGST, remarked, "Events like 'Fit India Hit India' are vital in promoting a culture of fitness and wellness among the populace. It is uplifting to witness public servants and artists unite on a single platform to advocate for healthy living through sports."
Star-Studded Participants
The Mumbai Heroes team included several well-known figures such as Suniel Shetty, Sohail Khan, Sharad Kelkar, Shabir Ahluwalia, and Freddy Daruwala, along with various actors, singers, and fitness influencers who aimed to raise awareness about the significance of physical and mental health. Other notable attendees included Sudesh Bhosale, Gulshan Grover, Karsan Ghavri (former Indian cricketer and MLA), Vishwas Nagre Patil (IPS officer), Krishna Hegde (former MLA), and Nadim Memon (MCA Curator).
Match Highlights: GST & Customs Triumph
After winning the toss, the GST & Customs Amateur Team opted to bat first, scoring a solid 170 runs for 5 wickets in their 20 overs. Akhilesh Kumar was the standout performer, scoring 57 runs off 55 balls, including seven fours and one six. Parag Khanapurkar supported him with a quick 45 runs off just 21 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. Amit Dhaiya added 22 runs, while Aishwarya Surve finished not out on 21. For the Mumbai Heroes, Freddy Daruwala was the top bowler, taking 2 wickets for 21 runs in four overs, with Sharad Kelkar and Rohit Kharb each claiming one wicket.
Mumbai Heroes' Response
In their chase of 171 runs, the Mumbai Heroes faced an early challenge, losing Sohail Khan for just 1 run in the first over. Captain Suniel Shetty also fell early, scoring only 6 runs. Navdeep Tomar tried to stabilize the innings with a steady 42 runs off 41 balls, but the team lost wickets consistently. Sharad Kelkar managed 12 runs, while Shabir Ahluwalia contributed 17. Raja Bherwani and Rohit Kharb each added 15 runs, but the Mumbai Heroes ended their innings at 131 runs for 9 wickets, resulting in a 39-run victory for the GST & Customs Amateur Team.
Awards and Reactions
Ajit Dan was the star bowler for the GST & Customs Amateur Team, taking three wickets and earning the Man of the Match award. Pandurang Chate, Regional Director of the Sports Authority of India, also impressed with three wickets and was named Best Bowler. Akhilesh Kumar received the Best Batsman award for his crucial half-century.
After the match, Mumbai Heroes captain Suniel Shetty commented, "We have played many games and lost very few. While this loss is tough to accept, we will certainly come back stronger. I want to thank Mumbai Heroes for their effort and Jackie Dada for his support to both teams, along with Gulshan Grover and everyone who came out to support us."
Conclusion
The "Fit India Hit India" Friendly Cricket Match showcased the unifying power of sports and reinforced the importance of fitness, teamwork, and healthy living through an enjoyable evening of cricket and entertainment.