Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Tuesday, said that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, sports activities in the country had experienced a notable surge, adding, “Naturally, as sports thrive nationwide, how can the state not be a part of this momentum in this field?”

Inaugurating the Syed Modi India International Badminton Tournament 2023, the chief minister highlighted the remarkable performances of athletes from Uttar Pradesh in the Asian Games. 

“We have all seen this miracle in the Asian Games. Sixteen per cent of the country’s population resides in Uttar Pradesh, but when it comes to medals, 25 per cent of the medals in the Asian Games have been won by players from Uttar Pradesh.”

He underscored that beyond motivating players, this global badminton competition served as a crucial platform for the talented athletes of Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association chairman Viraj Sagar Das presented a memento to the chief minister.

Reflecting on the surge in sports activities across India, Yogi Adityanath highlighted the tangible impact of initiatives like the Khelo India Khelo campaign, the Fit India Movement, and the promotion of sports competitions at the rural level. He emphasised that these efforts had led to substantial increase in the number of medals won by the Indian players in the Olympics compared to previous years.

Speaking on the recent achievements in sports, Yogi expressed pride in the fact that Indian players surpassed the 100-medal mark for the first time. He also applauded the brilliant performance of Indian athletes in the Para Asian Games, where they won over 100 medals for the country.

Yogi assured that both the Central and State governments are committed to providing all necessary assistance to ensure a bright future of the players.

Paying tribute to Akhilesh Das, Yogi said, “There was a pressing need for a quality badminton centre in Uttar Pradesh, that would serve as a hub for player training and hosting national and international competitions. Former Union Minister Akhilesh Das took the initiative and developed a facility spanning 10 acres. This area has now emerged as a central point, not just for player development but also for the organisation of various National and International Championships for badminton players within Uttar Pradesh. On this occasion, I also pay my humble tribute to Dr Akhilesh Das.”

Yogi extended a warm welcome to both the participating players and sports enthusiasts attending the competition, shedding light on the significance of the event.

Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association President Navneet Sehgal, Principal Secretary Home Sanjay Prasad, Sports Secretary Suhas LY and Sports Director RP Singh were present.