Extension of sports facilities necessary for country’s development : PM Modi
Speaking after laying foundation stone of the International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi to be built at a cost of Rs 451 crore, Modi said, “Extension of the sports facilities is very necessary for the development of the country. It is not only about the sports, but it is also important from the country’s reputation point of view.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath along with cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri along with the President of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Roger Binny, Secretary Jay Shah and Vice-President Rajeev Shukla were present on the occasion.
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar presented the jersey of Team India to the PM on the occasion.
Modi said, “There are many cities in the world whom many of us know because major international sporting events were organised there. We have to make such centers in India as well where such international events could be organised.”
He said the stadium, whose foundation stone has been laid today, will become witness to our resolve towards the sports. “This stadium will not be merely a ground made of brick and concrete, but will become a grand symbol of India of the future,” the PM said.
Modi said the success India is getting in the field of sports is the result of the change in mindset of the country and the government has linked sports with the fitness, employment and career of the youth. “The success India is getting in sports is the result of a change in the mindset of the people of the country. We linked the sports with the fitness, employment and career of the youth.”
The Prime Minister said, “As compared to nine years ago, the Union Sports Budget has been increased by three times. The budget of Khelo India programme has been increased by almost 70 percent as compared to the last year. Today the government is walking with the sports persons as a team member, right from the schools to the Olympic podium.”
He said that under Khelo India programme sports competitions were organised right from the school to universities in which a large number of daughters participated. “The government is helping the players at every step. The Olympic Podium Scheme is such an initiative under which the government provides assistance to the tune of lakh of rupees to the top players right from fooding-lodging, fitness to training every year,” Modi said.
The PM said that the result of the government’s efforts are visible in every international competition. “Recently, India created history in the World University Games. As compared to the medals won by India in the last few decades in the history of these games, this time our children won more medals,” he said.
Extending his best wishes to the Indian contingent participating in the Asian Games starting from Saturday, he said there are sporting talents in every corner and every village of India. “It is important to find and hone them. Today youths coming from even a small village have become the pride of the country. These examples tell us how much talent players coming from small towns have. We have to give maximum opportunities to this talent.”
Modi said therefore talent is being identified in the country at a very tender age through the Khelo India campaign. “The government is taking every step to identify the players and make them an international athlete,” he said.
The PM said a host of top players, who had brought laurels to the country in the field of sports, were specially present in the event. “I express my gratitude towards them for expressing their affection towards Kashi. Good coach and coaching is very important to promote players today. The top players present here know its importance,” he said.
Modi said the government is making arrangements for giving good coaching for the players. “Players, who have participated in big events and those who have national and international experience, are being encouraged to work as a coach,” he said.
He said, “In the last few years youths have been connected with different sports. “Youths of small towns will get new opportunities from the modern sports infrastructure being created by the government. Earlier better stadiums were available only in big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, but today efforts are being made to provide such facilities to the players even in far flung areas,” he said.
Modi said it was pleasing the daughters were getting the major benefit of the sports infrastructure being created under the Khelo India programme. “Now they don’t need to go far from home from training,” he said.
He said in the new National Education Policy, sports has been categorised equally with other subjects, like science and commerce. “Earlier, sport was considered as an extracurricular activity, but it is not so now. Now it has been decided to teach sports as a regular subject in schools,” he said.
The PM said it is his government which has set up the country’s first National Sports University in Manipur. “Thousands of crore rupees are being spent on sports facilities in UP as well. From extension of Sports College in Gorakhpur to setting up of Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut new sports centers are being set up for our sports persons,” he said.
Modi said his government believes that strengthening of sports infrastructure not only has a positive impact on the nurturing of young sports talent, but it also makes a positive impact on the local economy.
The PM said, “Construction of International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi will help in popularising sports and nurturing sporting talent among the youth. “The international cricket stadium, whose foundation is being laid today will prove to be a boon not only for the youths of Kashi, but the entire Purvanchal region.
He pointed out that the theme and design of the stadium is dedicated to Lord Shiva. “Young players from nearby areas will get a chance to train in an international stadium and my Kashi will be benefited most,” he said.
The PM said that today the world is getting connected with India through cricket. “New countries of the world are coming forward to play cricket. In the coming days the number of cricket matches is going to increase. And when cricket matches will increase there will be a need for new stadiums. This international cricket stadium will fulfil this demand. It is going to be the glowing star of the entire Purvanchal region,” he said.
He said, “This will be the first stadium of UP in whose construction there will be cooperation by the BCCI.
Being the MP of Kashi I express my gratitude to the BCCI office-bearers.”