Varanasi, January 4: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that in recent years, sports in Uttar Pradesh and the country have gained a new vision, new resources and new confidence. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the emerging “new sports culture” has strengthened discipline, fitness and team spirit among the youth. Now, sports is not just a hobby, but has become a powerful medium for personality development and nation building.
The Chief Minister was addressing the inaugural session of the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship held at the Dr. Sampurnanand Sports Stadium in Sigra.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated this volleyball championship. In the Chief Minister’s presence, an MoU was exchanged between the Sports Authority of India and the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate for the operation of the National Center of Excellence (NCOE).
On this occasion, the Chief Minister stated that modern sports infrastructure, a transparent selection process, and mission-based programs have increased opportunities for young athletes. Competitions have expanded from the village panchayat to the national level. As a result, Uttar Pradesh athletes are participating and winning many times more medals in international competitions than before.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that in the last 11 years, every Indian has witnessed a new sports culture flourish in the country. Prime Minister Modi instilled respect for sports in every Indian through the Khelo India Games in 2014. He preached that sports should become a means of all-round development. Only a healthy body can achieve all dimensions of success. Through Khelo India Games, the Fit India Movement, the Members of Parliament Sports Competition, and the sports infrastructure being built in every district, the entire country is experiencing a new sports culture.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that through the MP-MLA Sports Competition, various rural sports competitions, etc., we have promoted sports in Uttar Pradesh.
The Chief Minister said that after 43 years, the Senior National Volleyball Championship is being organized in Uttar Pradesh by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation. Prime Minister Modi’s inspiration, guidance, and leadership are behind this event.
He added that modern sports infrastructure has developed in the state and the country. The Chief Minister stated that efforts have been made to expand sports competitions in Uttar Pradesh in the past eight and a half years. Efforts have been made to expand sports activities at every level, including the construction of playgrounds in every village, stadiums in every district, mini-stadiums at every development block, and the construction of open gyms, prioritizing the work of municipal bodies and gram panchayats.
Mayor Ashok Tiwari welcomed the Chief Minister and other guests. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Rajya Sabha MP Amarpal Maurya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ravindra Jaiswal, Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’, Sports Minister Girish Chandra Yadav, District Panchayat President Poonam Maurya, MLAs Dr. Neelkanth Tiwari and Saurabh Srivastava were also present at the inauguration ceremony.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who came to the stadium for the inauguration ceremony, interacted with the practicing athletes and encouraged them.
During his inspection of the stadium, he inspected the maintenance of the gym and its equipment. The Chief Minister called a shooting athlete and asked him about the sport, and the child even shot a target in front of the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister interacted with athletes practicing in various sports.