Mansukh Mandaviya Appointed as India's New Sports Minister

Mansukh Mandaviya, the former Union Health Minister who played a pivotal role in India's COVID-19 response, has been appointed as the new Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet. Mandaviya, who represents the Porbandar Lok Sabha constituency in Gujarat, replaces Anurag Thakur, who held the post for nearly three years.

Mandaviya's appointment comes at a time when India is preparing to host the 2036 Olympic Games. During Thakur's tenure, India achieved its best-ever performance at the Olympics, winning a record seven medals in the Tokyo Games. Thakur also oversaw the revision of criteria for government jobs for medal winners in Khelo India competitions.

Mandaviya, who was entrusted with the health portfolio during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, is credited with ramping up the supply of oxygen and medicines and overseeing the vaccination program. He is expected to bring his experience in crisis management and public health to the sports ministry.

Raksha Khadse, a three-time BJP MP from Maharashtra, has been appointed as the Minister of State (Sports) under Mandaviya. Khadse, who represents the Raver Lok Sabha constituency, is the daughter-in-law of Eknath Khadse, a former NCP leader who recently returned to the BJP.

The appointment of Mandaviya and Khadse is seen as a move to strengthen the BJP's presence in Gujarat and Maharashtra, two key states in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Tags: #MansukhMandaviya, #AnuragThakur, #SportsMinistry, #TokyoOlympics, #KheloIndia