Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the country is seeing the winds of change as his athlete-centric government removes hurdles that stand in the way of athletes.
While speaking to the Para athletes who won a record 111 medals at the Para Asian Games in Hangzhou, Modi said his government is committed to providing the best facilities to athletes.
“Today we see the winds of change in the country. In the past, when one did sports, people never did it as a regular part of life. But now things are changing. The government is there for the athletes now,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister also reiterated his government’s commitment to “do its best to bring the 2030 Youth Olympic Games and the 2036 Summer Olympics to India.”
He said the country has always produced good athletes but the lack of financial support initially posed a major hurdle in their way to excel.
“India has always produced good athletes but lack of support or financial backing held them back. In nine years (of government), that old thinking has changed. Today, 4-5 crore rupees are spent on individual athletes. focused on the athlete and clearing obstacles in their way.
“Only if potential is given the right platform, performance can be guaranteed and programs like Khelo India and Target Olympic Podium Scheme are some of such major initiatives of the government,” Modi said.
Modi added that the 111 medals brought back by the para-athletes from China were not mere medals but the fulfillment of dreams seen by 140 crore people in the country.
“That number is three times what we achieved at the 2014 Asia Para Games in Korea. We have won ten times as many gold medals. In 2014, Indian para-athletes finished at the fifteenth spot, now they are in the top five.”
Relating their performance to the growth of the country’s economy since 2014, Modi said: “In these nine years, the country has gone from the tenth to the fifth largest economy, and by 2047 it will be the third largest India and a developed country. Today you also brought the country from tenth to fifth place.”
“The past few months have been great for Indian sports and this achievement is the icing on the cake. Your performance had excited the entire country,” Modi said.
Modi added that when a para-athlete returns home successfully, he not only covers himself with glory but also becomes an inspiration to the entire country.
“They make everyone sit up and think: if something goes so well for someone with a disability, it becomes an inspiration for him (able-bodied). Your achievements influence people in all walks of life by inspiring them.”
The Prime Minister urged para-athletes to encourage children in their families and at home to take up sports.
“Nowadays families encourage sports, it is becoming a new culture.”
The Prime Minister also informed that a state-of-the-art training center for disability sports had been set up in Gwalior.
The Prime Minister urged the para-athletes not to just stop here and move forward with new determination and commitments.
“Whatever obstacles you have overcome are your greatest contribution to the country. Many of you have lived with disabilities since birth, and many of you have experienced accidents.
“Your achievements are an inspiration to the nation and a triumph of the human spirit over adversity. The government and the government are supporting you in your progress.
(Only the headline and image of this report may have been reworked by Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
