FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his government has increased expenditure on sports by three-fold in the last nine years, and reiterated that the country is prepared to host the 2036 Olympics.
Speaking after inaugurating the 37th National Games at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Fatorda, here, Modi said the Games are taking place in Goa at a time when Indian sports is reaching new heights in the world of sports.
“We have brought in changes in schemes to provide financial incentives to sportspersons,” Modi said.
There is no dearth of sports talent in India, Modi said, adding the country has produced many sports champions. He also made a mention of the performance of the country’s sportspersons at the ongoing Hangzhou Asian Para Games.
Modi said, “Today, when both India's resolve and efforts are so huge, then it is natural for India's aspirations to be high. That is why during the IOC session, I put forward the aspiration of 140 crore Indians. I assured the Supreme Committee of the Olympics that India is ready to organize the Youth Olympics in 2030 and the Olympics in 2036. Our aspiration to organize the Olympics is not limited to just emotions. Rather, there are some solid reasons behind this.” He said in 2036 India’s economy and infrastructure will be in a position to host the Olympics easily.
The Prime Minister remarked that the journey of Mahakumbh of Indian Sports has arrived in Goa and the environment is filled with colours, waves, enthusiasm and adventure. “There’s nothing like the aura of Goa”, he said underlining the contribution of Goa to the country’s sports and mentioned Goa’s love for football. The fact that the National Games are taking place in sports-loving Goa is energizing in itself, he added.
“Our National Games is also a symbol of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat,” the Prime Minister emphasised noting that it is a great medium for every state of India to show its potential.
He lauded the preparations made by the Goa government and the people of Goa for organizing the national games. He said that the sports infrastructure created here will be useful to the youth of Goa for many decades to come and the land will produce many new players for the country, while the infrastructure will be used for organising national and international sports events in the future.
“In the last few years, modern infrastructure related to connectivity has also been built in Goa. The National Games will greatly benefit Goa's tourism and economy”, he added.
The Prime Minister acknowledged Goa as the land of celebrations and mentioned the Goa International Film Festival and the State’s growing stature as a hub of international conferences and summits. Mentioning the 2016 BRICS Conference and many G20 conferences, the Prime Minister expressed happiness that the ‘Goa Roadmap for Sustainable Tourism’ was adopted by G20.
Modi urged the athletes to give their best in every situation, whatever the field, whatever the challenge. “We must not lose this opportunity. With this call, I declare the beginning of the 37th National Games. Many best wishes again to all you athletes. Goa is ready”, he concluded.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that by organising various national and international sports events, the State is now known as Sports Destination and hoped that it will help the tourist State in the future.
Pointing to high-quality infrastructure built for the 37th National Games, Sawant emphasised the positive impact it will have on nurturing exceptional athletes in the State in the future.
Sawant recalled that Goa in the past successfully organised Lusofonia Games, World Beach Volleyball, Ironman 70.3, World Table Tennis and FIFA U-17 Women’s World Football Cup and proved its capacity in organising such events.
The State has also produced sportspersons in various disciplines and mentioned the names of former international footballers Brahmanand Sankhwalkar and Bruno Coutinho and women chess grandmaster Bhakti Kulkarni, all recipients of Arjuna Awards for their contribution in sports.
The Chief Minister thanked the Union government and the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for giving an opportunity for the State to host the National Games.
Sanwat also mentioned the Centre’s support to the State to build infrastructure projects like highways, bridges, Mopa airport and AAYUSH hospital. Along with Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Sawant spoke about Swayampurna Goa 2.0 initiative and the recently launched Swayampurna E-Bazaar creating opportunities to self-help groups.
Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Singh Thakur and Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Dr P T Usha among others were present on the occasion.
