The newly-appointed sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Sunday said "best of the opportunities" will be provided to all sportspersons in their endeavour to make India a strong sporting nation.
The 47-year-old Athens Olympics silver medallist was made the sports minister in place of Vijay Goel in a major reshuffle by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Rathore said the focus will be on winning medals at all levels.
"Win medals at all levels -- village level or at the Olympic level. Sports is a state subject so we will work together with the state departments to provide, like I said, best of the opportunities for the sportspersons," Rathore told reporters.
The former world championship silver medallist added, "The most important thing is that the sportsman only has one challenge and that is to overcome adversaries, and enhance the level of their sports.
"Also the youth, not just in sports, but also in their personality development because that's the essence of the youth ministry."
After taking premature retirement from the Indian Army, Rathore joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2013 and was sworn in as minister of state for information & broadcasting when the Modi government came to power in May, 2014.
When asked about the new education policy, he said, "The point is that education just doesn't happen in schools and colleges.
“The education for life happens in sports grounds and that's where we come in.
"The sports ministry and the states will provide the right opportunities for our youth, the future of this country, to make themselves physically and mentally more stronger," said Rathore.
Sports fraternity expresses joy
The country's sports fraternity on Sunday welcomed the appointment of Olympics silver medallist shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore as the new sports minister and wished him the best for his new stint.
Fellow shooter and India's lone individual Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra was delighted at Rathore being made the sports minister.
"Delighted to see @Ra_THORe is the new sports minister. All the very very best!," said Bindra, who won a gold in 10m air rifle at the 2008 Beijing Games, in a tweet.
Another fellow shooter and london Olympic bronze medallist Gagan Narang also expressed happiness at Rathore's appointment.
"@Ra_THORe your elevation raises hope because you have been there, done that & know what an athlete is made of. Heartiest Congratulations," Narang wrote on his twitter handle.
london Olympics bronze medallist boxer Mary Kom congratulated Rathore and wished him success in his new role.
"I wish to congratulate @Ra_THORe on your new new role and I wish you every success in your new duties," Mary Kom, also a Rajya Sabha member, wrote on her Twitter page.
Rajiv Khel Ratna awardee paralympian Devendra Jhajharia tweeted, "Thank you @VijayGoelBJP ji for all your support. Many congratulations to @Ra_THORe ji. look forward to achieving sporting excellence."
Star gymnast Dipa Karmakar wrote, "Many congratulations on the new role @Ra_THORe sir! All the very best!"
Former sports minister Ajay Maken also congratulated Rathore and said he was the right man for the ministry.
"Congrats Rajyavardhan Rathore for getting the charge of Sports Ministry! Can't say the same about others-But @Ra_THORe is a good choice!"
Former Indian hockey captain Viren Rasquinha described Rathore's appointment as a good development for Indian sports.
"An inspirational Olympic medal winner as our new Sports Minister. Good times ahead for Indian sport. Congratulations @Ra_THORe," tweeted Rasquinha.
Olympian shooter Joydeep Karmakar said: "extremely delighted to have one of 'us' leading the Sports Ministry. looking forward..@Ra_THORe."