Mansukh Mandaviya Appointed New Sports Minister

Mansukh Mandaviya, the former union health minister who played a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, has been appointed as India's new sports minister. He replaces Anurag Thakur in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cabinet. Mandaviya, who secured a significant victory in the Porbandar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat, will also oversee the ministry of chemicals and fertilizers.

Additionally, Raksha Khadse, a three-time BJP MP from Maharashtra's Raver, has been appointed as Minister of State (Sports). Raksha, who won the 2024 Lok Sabha election by a large margin, is the daughter-in-law of NCP leader Eknath Khadse.

Mandaviya's appointment comes after a reshuffle in Modi's cabinet, marking a significant shift in the leadership of India's sports administration. Anurag Thakur, the outgoing sports minister, had a successful tenure, highlighted by India's best-ever performance at the Tokyo Olympics and the expansion of the Khelo India initiative.