Pictures displayed at media centre attract visitors to 'Kila Raipur' games

In the ongoing Kila Raipur Sports Festival being held at the Grewal Sports Stadium, the media centre located here is a centre of attraction for the spectators, besides other traditional games and cultural activities.

In the ongoing Kila Raipur Sports Festival being held at the Grewal Sports Stadium, the media centre located here is a centre of attraction for the spectators, besides other traditional games and cultural activities.

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More than 400 photographs displayed at the centre unfold the history and golden moments captured during the Kila Raipur games every year since its origin in 1993. The media centre remains open daily from 9am to 9pm, and entry to it is free.

With an aim to showcase the rare activities of sports festival through photographs, the centre was opened in 2005. After its opening, it has pulled crowds not only from the state, but from different parts of world.

Simon Werren, a tourist from Switzerland, who came to attend the festival for the first time, said, "Displaying pictures of this festival is an amazing concept, as a first-time visitor can get a quick glimpses of the festival."

An official at the centre, Sukhbir Singh Grewal, said, "The visitors really appreciate the black-and-white pictures. Pictures play an important role in making us feel that old is gold."

In a nutshell, the overall gross collection of pictures presents many shades of the festival, such as chief guests, performances by singers, rare talents, prize distribution and lot more.

Paramjit Singh Grewal, one of the chief organisers of the fest, said, All pictures displayed have their own importance. But for me, the most proud and historical picture of 'Rural Olympics' is the one clicked on January 26, 1997. It was the Republic Day function in New Delhi, when the tableau of Kila Raipur games was presented at the national parade. It was a tribute to the rural games, and a day that made a history in the Kila Raipur Games."

"It is a matter of proud that the event attracts visitors and media from different parts of the world which galvanizes not only the village but also the participants of the event," Grewal said.