Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Indian cricketer Virat Kohli in London on Friday. The meeting took place after Kohli paid a visit to the UK capital. They discussed topics like sports infrastructure, athlete development, and state progress. Shinde welcomed Kohli with a traditional shawl and bouquet during their conversation.
During the meeting, Kohli congratulated Shinde on receiving three awards during his stay in the UK. The talks focused on improving policies to expand sports facilities in Maharashtra and support athletes aiming for national and international success.
Shinde highlighted major infrastructure projects in the state, such as the Samruddhi Expressway, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Coastal Road, Atal Setu, Vadhavan Port, and plans for a Sports City near Navi Mumbai with modern facilities. Kohli showed strong interest in supporting these initiatives to provide youth with quality education and top-tier athletic training.
Shinde also spoke about national sports programs like ‘Khelo India,’ which encourages young people to pursue sports careers. Kohli shared his lifelong passion for cricket and his desire to contribute to the sport even after retiring, emphasizing the importance of fitness, nutrition, and proper diet for young athletes.
The interaction ended with Yuva Sena General Secretary Rahul Kanal and Shinde’s senior team present. Shinde was in London to promote investment opportunities in Maharashtra and build on the India-UK free trade agreement (FTA). His visit began on September 9 with receiving the Commonwealth Public Leadership recognition at the House of Lords, followed by the Statesmanship Award in the House of Commons. He also received the Global Pride of Maharashtra award from Maharashtra Mandal London.
A planned tour of Lord’s Cricket Ground was canceled due to time constraints. However, Rahul Kale, an MCC member from Maharashtra, presented Shinde with original memorabilia from the 1983 World Cup at the end of his visit.