500 Indian athletes being trained for next Olympics, says PM Modi

The Sports Authority of India has handpicked 500 athletes for the next Olympics, leveraging untapped talent in the rural areas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said.

Inaugurating the second phase of Saansad Khel Mahakumbh 2022-23 today via video conferencing, PM Modi disclosed that about 500 Olympics probables are now being groomed under Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS). Keeping in mind the need for international training, some players have received assistance from Rs 2.5 crores to Rs 7 crore. Through Khelo India financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per month is also being provided to 2500 athletes.

The Prime Minister expressed happiness that about 40,000 athletes, three times more than the last year, are participating in the Khel Mahakumbh.

Saansad Khel Mahakumbh has been organised in Basti district by Harish Dwivedi, Member of Parliament from Basti since 2021. The Khel Mahakumbh organises various competitions in both indoor and outdoor sports like wrestling, kabaddi, kho kho, basketball, football, hockey, volleyball, handball, chess, carrom, badminton, table tennis etc. Apart from these, competitions in essay writing, painting, rangoli making etc are also organised during the Khel Mahakumbh.

The Prime Minister appreciated the scale of Khel Mahakumbh and expressed hope that India’s traditional expertise in sports will get a new wing through such events. He informed that about 200 Parliamentarians have organised such Khel Mahakumbh in their constituencies. As Member of Parliament from Kashi, PM Modi informed that such events are being organised in Varanasi also. “By organising such events, MPs are shaping the future of the new generation”, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister expressed delight at witnessing a game of Kho Kho where our daughters of the land played the game with great skill, dexterity and team spirit. The Prime Minister congratulated everyone involved in the game and wished them the very best in their pursuit.

Highlighting the key aspect of girl’s participation in the Sansad Khel Mahakumbh, the Prime Minister expressed the belief that the daughters of Basti, Purvanchal, Uttar Pradesh and all over India will showcase their talent and skills on a global stage.

Recalling the Women’s U-19 T20 Cricket World Cup, the Prime Minister highlighted the splendid achievement of the team captain Ms Shefali Verma who scored five consecutive boundaries and hit a six on the last ball, thereby accumulating 26 runs in one over. He remarked that such talent is available in every nook and corner of the country and the Saansad Khel Mahakumbh plays a key role in scouting and harnessing it.

The Prime Minister said sports is now being given due prestige in society. This has resulted in unprecedented performance in the Olympics, Paralympics and other competitions.

“This is just the beginning, we have a long way to go”, the Prime Minister continued,”Sports is skill and character, it is talent and resolve.”

The Prime Minister highlighted the role of the Central Government in overcoming the challenges faced by the sports sector and informed that special emphasis is being laid on ensuring adequate resources, training, technical knowledge, international exposure, and transparency in the selection of our players. Noting the improvements in sports infrastructure in the region, the Prime Minister informed that stadiums are being built and coaches are being arranged in Basti and other such districts.

He also added that more than one thousand Khelo India district centres are being set up across the country out of which more than 750 of these centres have been completed. “Efforts are also being made to provide national-level facilities at the local level”, PM Modi added.

The Prime Minister also suggested the inclusion of Yoga in the daily lives of sportspersons.