The Diamond Jubilee of Tabela Maidan-Shramik Gymkhana Ground, popularly known as Pandhari of Kabaddi, was organized in Mumbai on the initiative of Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Sunil Shinde. Party chief Uddhav Thackeray participated on this occasion with his son Aditya. Along with this, many other leaders and players of the party were also present.
Addressing the program, Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray said that before becoming the Chief Minister, he had gone to Ram Janmabhoomi with the soil of Shivaji Janmabhoomi. He told that after handing over the soil to the priests, the Ram temple was ready within a year. He said that this is the importance of soil, it is the debt of soil, do not forget the soil.
Taking an indirect jibe at the ruling party, Uddhav Thackeray said that all the qualities of Kabaddi are necessary in politics also. He said that qualities like agility, strong grip, making a move and turning it around are necessary. That's why we play a different kind of Kabaddi in politics too.
MLA Sunil Shinde, on behalf of Amarprem Sports Club at Sankalpnetoon Delhi Road, Tabela Maidan-Shramik Gymkhana Maidan, known as Kabaddi Pandhari, Hirak Mahotsavi Sohalyala Party Head, Ma. Mister. Uddhavsaheb Thackeray's presence in Lavli. maharashtra chaya matitalya hya pic.twitter.com/GFENjmIY3J
— ShivSena – Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (@ShivSenaUBT_) April 11, 2026
He said that there was a time when legendary Kabaddi players used to show their strength on clay grounds, but now the trend of playing Kabaddi on mats is increasing. He said that there is nothing wrong in playing on the mat, but one should not forget the soil and motherland. He said that great Kabaddi players are like stars rising from the ground. Aditya and I are with you along with those stars, this is a happy moment for us.
Mumbai | Shiv Sena UBT Chief Uddhav Thackeray says, “Before I became Chief Minister, I took the soil of Shivaji Janmabhoomi and went to Ram Janmabhoomi. After handing over the soil to the priests, the Ram temple was completed within a year. This is the importance of soil, the pic.twitter.com/KAN9duRYOH
— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2026
During this, Uddhav honored the eminent personalities who have contributed to the game of Kabaddi from the land of Maharashtra by giving them awards. He praised the players who performed excellently on the field. On this occasion, Yuva Sena chief and Shiv Sena leader MLA Aditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena leader MP Arvind Sawant, Shiv Sena leader MLA Bhaskar Jadhav, MLA Ajay Choudhary, Shiv Sena deputy leader and leader of opposition in Mumbai Municipal Corporation Kishori Pednekar, divisional chief MLA Mahesh Sawant, former Mumbai mayor Mahadev Deole, former hockey player Dhanraj Pillay, as well as veteran Kabaddi players, Shiv Sena officials and Shiv Sainiks were present.
In fact, Uddhav Thackeray had gone to Ayodhya on a two-day visit in November 2018, taking soil from the historical Shivneri Fort of Pune district. He had told that he would hand over this soil to the Mahant or chief priest of the temporary temple of Ram Lalla located at the Ram Janmabhoomi site. Ayodhya was once the capital of the Kaushal kingdom, which was ruled by King Dasharatha, father of Lord Rama. Uddhav had said that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is respected by all Hindus and by taking a handful of soil from the birthplace of such a powerful Hindu king, I am taking with me the wishes and desires of the entire Hindu community.
