Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the second phase of Sansad Khel Mahakumbh 2022-23 organised at Shaheed Satyawan Singh Stadium via video conferencing.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also present on this occasion.
Recalling the time when sports was considered just an extracurricular activity with little importance, the prime minister said that this led to many talented sportspersons not achieving their potential.
“But today's nation has a different perspective towards it, and more children and young people are considering sports as a career,” he added.
The prime minister said that the effects of change could be seen through the achievements of the country in the field of sports. He said sports were getting due prestige in society.
Addressing the gathering, the prime minister said that Basti was the pious land of Maharishi Vasishtha. "This is the land of labour, meditation, asceticism and renunciation. For a player, his game is also a meditation and penance. Successful sports players are focused on their goal and overcome every obstacle in their path,” he remarked.
“Such a huge khel mahakumbh is being organised here through MP Harish Dwivedi. These games will give a new opportunity to the mahakumbh players,” he added.
Modi said that about 200 MPs had organised such khel mahakumbh in their constituencies. “By organising such events, the MPs are shaping the future of the new generation,” the prime minister said, and added, "Through these games, performing athletes are being picked up for further training under the Sports Authority of India."
Expressing delight over witnessing the kho-kho game played by the girls during the event, the prime minister said, “The daughters of the land played the game with great skill, dexterity and team spirit. I congratulate all the daughters. Our daughters are participating in the Sansad Khel Mahakumbh. I have faith that the daughters of Basti, Purvanchal and Uttar Pradesh will continue to show their strength in national and international competitions.”
Recalling the women’s Under-19 T20 Cricket World Cup, the prime minister highlighted the splendid achievement of team captain 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 was available in every nook and corner of the country and the Sansad Khel Mahakumbh played a key role in scouting and harnessing it.
The prime minister said that there was a time when sports was considered an “extracurricular” activity, a mentality that greatly harmed the country. “This led to many talented athletes not achieving their potential,” he added.
“In the last 8-9 years, the country has taken many initiatives to overcome this drawback and create a better environment for sports. This has resulted in many more youngsters taking up sports as a career," the said.
The prime minister also cited benefits of sports like fitness, health, team bonding, tension relief, professional success and personal improvement.
Citing examples of the historic performance of the nation in the Olympics and Paralympics, the prime minister remarked that India’s performance in various sports fields was becoming a point of discussion in the world. “Sport is getting due prestige in society,” he said, adding, “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 asis and added, “Sports is skill and character, it is talent and resolve.”
Highlighting the importance of sports training, the prime minister said that sports competitions should always go on. “Youth, University and Winter Games are giving athletes many opportunities to keep improving. Through Khelo India, financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per month is also being provided to 2,500 athletes,” he said.
The prime minister highlighted the role of the Central government in overcoming the challenges faced by the sports sector and said that special emphasis was being laid on ensuring adequate resources, training, technical knowledge, international exposure, and transparency in the selection of players.
Pointing out the improvements in sports infrastructure in the region, the prime minister said that stadiums were being built and coaches were being arranged in Basti and other such districts. He added that more than 1,000 Khelo India district centres were being set up across the country of which construction of more than 750 centres had been completed.
“Geo-tagging of all playgrounds across the country is also being done to ensure that players have no difficulty in getting training. The government has constructed a sports university in Manipur for the youth of the North East and another sports university is being constructed in Meerut in UP. Hostels are also being run in many districts of Uttar Pradesh to promote sports. Efforts are also being made to provide national-level facilities at the local level,” he said.
The prime minister explained the significance of the Fit India Movement by stating that every athlete understands the value of fitness. The prime minister advised people to incorporate yoga into their daily life, saying, "With yoga, your body will also be healthy and your mind will also be alert. You will gain from this in your games as well.”
The prime minister stated that 2023 had been designated as the International Year of Millets and emphasised the significant contribution millets can make to athletes' nutritional needs.