IMPHAL, Apr 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked the Central and State Sports Ministers to work together “to provide quality infrastructure to every talented player in the country” and formulate short and long term goals to make India a leading sports nation.
Addressing a ‘Chintan Shivir’ (brainstorming session) of sports ministers of states and UTs being held at the Manipur capital, PM Modi underlined the need to have more competitions at the local level so that the players get the much-needed experience. He also asked the ministers to ensure no sporting talent is overlooked.
“You have to focus on sports infrastructure, and sports training according to each tournament. You also have to decide short-term, medium-term and long-term goals”, the PM said in a virtual address.
Drawing the analogy of man-to-man marking in sports like football and hockey, the PM said while the players are preparing themselves, it’s now time for the ministries to work with a different approach regarding sports tournaments.
Touching upon Khelo India Scheme, the Prime Minister noted that it has definitely improved sports infrastructure at the district level and urged the ministers to take the improvements to the block level.
Modi also stated that the participation of all the stakeholders, including the private sector, is important.
The PM also suggested that the National Youth Festival be rethought to make it more effective and said that such programmes held in the states should not become just a formality.
“India will be able to establish itself as a leading sports country only when such efforts are made all-round,” the Prime Minister said, according to a release from Press Information Bureau.
He expressed confidence that the sports ministers from all over the country will have a learning experience at the end of the ‘Chintan Shivir’.
“Any Chintan Shivir begins with contemplation, proceeds with rumination and ends with implementation,” the PM said, while underlining the need to discuss future goals and also review the previous conferences. (PTI)
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