New Delhi,August 30(HS): Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, highlighted the significant role of India’s oil and gas public sector undertakings (PSUs) in nurturing the nation’s sporting culture during an event organized by the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) in collaboration with the Delhi Soccer Association and Sudeva Academy to celebrate National Sports Day. He emphasized that since 2014, India’s sports sector has undergone a profound transformation with increased policy focus and public investment, including enhanced funding, nutrition, sports science, and coaching support to promising athletes.

The Minister praised the PSPB as one of the largest sports promotion bodies in the country, consisting of 16 member organizations supporting 19 sports disciplines. He noted that PSPB athletes have earned 151 national awards, including Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Khel Ratna, and Arjuna Awards, manifesting their consistent contribution to India’s sporting success.

Puri also pointed to the recent passage of the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, which aims to improve accountability within sports federations. He cited India’s record-breaking medal hauls at the 2023 Asian Games and the 2024 Para Asian Games as evidence of the success of these transformative efforts.

Highlighting PSPB’s grassroots impact, the Minister mentioned their sporting initiatives in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, where they have promoted archery and plan to hold sailing events and develop a Water Sports Training Centre, reinforcing India’s evolving sports ecosystem. Expressing his enthusiasm, Puri praised the collaborative spirit of the event and the continued efforts of oil and gas PSUs in fostering sporting excellence and inclusion.

This event reaffirmed the oil and gas PSUs’ pioneering role in advancing India’s journey towards becoming a global sporting nation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar