State pencak silat team wins 6 medals at Khelo India Beach Games

RUDRAPUR: The Uttarakhand pencak silat team clinched a total of six medals — including three silver and three bronze — at the inaugural Khelo India Beach Games held at Ghoghla beach in Daman and Diu from May 19 to 24. The event was organised by Sports Authority of India (SAI) under Union ministry of youth affairs and sports, and saw participation from several states across the country.The team, led by head coach Sharika Patel and manager Rakesh, excelled in the tanding category. Deepak Singh, Gayatri Negi, and Eshu Bharti secured silver medals, while Reeta Bhandari, Kartik Patel, and Yashodhan Rana claimed bronze. The team was further supported by chief de mission Rashika Siddiqui and nodal officer Nirmala Pant from the state sports department.General secretary of the pencak silat association of Uttarakhand, Bablu Diwaker, lauded the athletes' achievements and said, "This was the first edition of the Khelo India Beach Games, and our athletes have left a mark. Their hard work and dedication have brought glory to our state."