State level sports competitions and events on a large scale are quite helpful in promoting local talent by providing a platform to dexterous sportspersons from the state. These not only help in identifying talented athletes for international competitions but also promote the usability of local areas for higher-level events.

Along the same lines, the Maharashtra government, in association with the Maharashtra Olympic Association (MOA) is now organizing the Maharashtra State Olympic Games 2023/Maharashtra Mini Olympic Games. Reportedly, the games which have been started today onwards in Pune are being held in the state after 22 years.

The Maharashtra State Olympic Games 2023 will continue till January 12 and include events from a total of 41 disciplines. The games are to be held in 7 Maharashtra districts including Pune, Mumbai, Baramati, Nashik, Nagpur, Jalgaon, Aurangabad, Amravati and Sangli. With this, as many as 24 out of the 41 events will be held at the Balewadi Stadium of Pune, as the city is the main host for this year.

Notably, a total of 8,000 state athletes are expected to take part in the 10-day-long grand sports event. With this, a formal inauguration ceremony for the event will also be held on January 5 in Pune in the presence of the state CM and other noteworthy dignitaries.