Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today desired to make the entire state a big sports ground and every Gujarati an ace sportsperson.

Addressing 5,000 physical instructors training camp at the Tridev Mandir complex at Adalaj near here, he said that participation in sports inculcate the spirit of sportsmanship and leadership qualities in every youth, necessary in every walk of life.

The camp has been organized preparatory to the four-tier Gujarat Sports 'Mahakumbh', as part of the state's golden jubilee celebration from November 20 to December 20, 2010. Nearly 18,000 athletes are expected to participate at the state-level competition, 1.50-lakh at district level, 3.20 at taluka level and over 8-lakh at the village level events.

Mr. Modi said the physical instructors teaching secondary school students have an additional duty of making the young minds strong and fit in body too. This will serve as a supplement to 'Vanche Gujarat' campaign launched earlier, to create interest among youth to read books, make them intellectually strong and a knowledge storehouse. Those excel in mental and physical strength will have a chance to join the Raksha Shakti University and serve the nation.

He took this occasion to remind the audience about the state's preparation for staging yet another unique feat of bringing 20,000 chess players at one venue.

He said it is for the first time in the history of the state that such training camp of physical instructors has been organized, jointly by the Youth Services Sports & Cultural Affairs and the Education Department.

Youth & Sports Minister Fakir Vaghela, Parliamentary Secretary Ishwarsinh Patel, legislator Rakesh Shah, Principal Education Secretary Hasmukh Adhia, Youth & Sports Secretary Bhagyesh Jha and Sports Authority of India-Gujarat Director-General Vikas Sahay, among others, addressed the camp.