New Delhi, 15 October (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the performance of Indian athletes at the Asian Games, saying they have enhanced the glory of the Tricolour. He said their achievements were a source of pride for millions of Indians and that their success would inspire the younger generation to pursue sporting excellence.

On Thursday, the Prime Minister met the Indian contingent that participated in the 2026 Asian Games and addressed the athletes. During the interaction, he highlighted their achievements across various sporting disciplines, the outstanding performance of women athletes, the government’s efforts to promote sports and preparations for upcoming international competitions.

PM Modi made special mention of the achievements of women athletes, noting that they had won 38 of India’s 85 medals, including 11 gold medals. He described their performance as a particular source of pride for the country.

Their achievements, he said, demonstrated that when Indian women are provided with opportunities, quality training and adequate facilities, they can showcase their abilities brilliantly on the international stage.

Highlighting the historic achievement of the women’s hockey team, the Prime Minister said, “The women’s hockey team has ended a long wait of 44 years by winning the gold medal.”

Describing the victory as a significant milestone for Indian sports, he said the athletes’ hard work, discipline and team spirit had brought glory to the country. The team’s success, he added, would inspire future generations of girls to pursue sports and strive for excellence.

The Prime Minister also praised the Indian men’s hockey team for winning the gold medal and bringing honour to the country.

Referring to the achievements of India’s men’s and women’s cricket teams and the gold medals won by both kabaddi teams, PM Modi said the country’s performance across various disciplines reflected its growing sporting capabilities. He also highlighted India’s achievement of winning five gold medals in archery.

He observed that Indian athletes had demonstrated their capabilities in several events in which the country had previously achieved limited success. New medals and improved performances across different disciplines indicated that the pool of sporting talent in India was steadily expanding.

He attributed these achievements to the athletes’ dedication, the guidance of coaches and improvements in training facilities.

PM Modi said the government was continuously working to develop the sports sector and provide athletes with better facilities. He noted that more than Rs 6,000 crore had been allocated to the sports sector.

Initiatives such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Khelo India, he said, were focused on providing athletes with training, support for competition preparation and essential facilities to help them perform at the highest level.

The Prime Minister stressed that sports development should not remain confined to major cities. Talent must also be identified and nurtured in smaller cities, towns and villages, where aspiring athletes should be given opportunities to progress.

He said the expansion of sports infrastructure and the establishment of Khelo India centres were helping athletes at the grassroots level access training facilities and develop their abilities.

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of identifying sporting talent among children between the ages of five and 15 and providing them with appropriate training at the right time.

He said early guidance and structured training could help young athletes prepare more effectively for national and international competitions in the future.

PM Modi urged accomplished athletes to share their experiences with the younger generation and encourage emerging talent. Their guidance, he said, could play an important role in nurturing future champions.

Emphasising the need to make sports a people’s movement, PM Modi called for encouraging children and young people to participate in sporting activities.

He said sports were not merely a means of winning medals but also helped develop discipline, self-confidence, team spirit and the ability to overcome challenges.

“Jo khelega, woh khilega” — those who play will flourish — was the message he conveyed while stressing the importance of building a strong sporting culture across the country.

The Prime Minister urged athletes to begin preparations for upcoming international competitions well in advance. He referred to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the 2030 Commonwealth Games in India and the country’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympic Games.

He said achieving these ambitions would require coordinated efforts by athletes, coaches, sports federations and the government.

PM Modi emphasised that India’s sporting ambitions extended beyond increasing its medal tally. The country also needed to develop the capabilities and infrastructure required to host major international sporting events.

He added that the expansion of the sports sector was creating new employment and career opportunities in areas such as training, fitness, sports management and related fields.

The Prime Minister called on athletes to use their achievements to inspire young Indians and contribute to strengthening the country’s sporting culture.

He said their performances boosted national confidence and provided motivation to set new goals for Indian sports in the years ahead. Continued investment in talent development, improved training facilities and greater participation at the grassroots level, he emphasised, would be essential to sustaining the country’s sporting progress.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar