Gorakhpur,

16 Jan (HS): Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called on all universities and

colleges to adopt a sport and nurture talent related to it. They should

contribute to strengthening discipline and sportsmanship by fostering healthy

competition through sports. Chief Minister Yogi was addressing the formal

opening ceremony of the Eastern Region Inter-University Basketball (Women)

Tournament at Deendayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University on Friday as the chief

guest. The Chief Minister said that by increasing sports activities, youth will

stay away from drugs and avoid all kinds of vices. Youth will flourish when

they play, and these youth will contribute to the country's progress and the

realization of the vision of a developed India by 2047.

Chief

Minister Yogi Adityanath stated that Uttar Pradesh has made significant efforts

to build a developed India through sports. The state's first sports university

has been established in Meerut. All types of sports items are being

manufactured in Meerut, and the government has included them in the ODOP

program. Yogi said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a

new sports culture has emerged in the country over the past 11 years. Before

2014, sports activities and competitions were not part of the government's

agenda. Sports and athletes were neglected. Due to the lack of infrastructure

that met international standards, athletes were forced to leave sports, leaving

them frustrated, disappointed, and disillusioned. However, since 2014, under

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance, the encouragement of sports and

athletes has been palpable. Through campaigns like Khelo India, Fit India, and

the Sansad Khel Pratiyogita, Prime Minister Modi has inspired a healthy and

strong nation. He has provided a platform for sports talent in every village.

The Prime Minister himself sits with the players of the country's winning teams

in various sports, encouraging them even before competitions.

He

stated that sports infrastructure has been extensively developed in Uttar

Pradesh. Work is underway to build playgrounds and open gyms in every Gram

Panchayat, mini stadiums at the block level, and stadiums at the district

level. To ensure that sports activities are not informal but part of daily

routine, the government has distributed sports kits to over 96,000 Yuvak Mangal

Dals and Mahila Mangal Dals. The Chief Minister stated that the government

provides Rs.10 lakh to each athlete participating in the Olympics. A provision

has been made to provide a prize of Rs.6 crore and a Class 1 job to the Olympic

individual gold medalist. A player from Uttar Pradesh who wins a gold medal in

the Olympic team event receives a prize of Rs. 3 crore, and a silver medalist

in the individual event receives Rs. 3 crore. Similarly, cash awards are also

given to Olympic bronze medalists, as well as medalists from the Asian Games,

Commonwealth Games, and World Championships. The Chief Minister stated that the

state government has already provided direct government jobs to over 500

medal-winning athletes. Athletes have also been appointed to positions such as

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tehsildar, and Regional Sports Officer.

The

Chief Minister said that the 2030 Commonwealth Games will be held in Gujarat.

Every state and players will have to prepare themselves accordingly. India is

also applying to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Preparations will have to be made

from now to win more medals in the Commonwealth and Olympics. Before the stage

programme, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath formally inaugurated the competition

by releasing balloons and cutting the ribbon in the basketball court. He

himself also tossed the ball in the basketball court. The Chief Minister got

introduced to the players of Gorakhpur University and Shaheed Nandkumar Patel

University, Raigarh. After the stage programme was over, Chief Minister Yogi

watched the first half of the match and encouraged the players by clapping.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi