Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has encouraged universities and schools in the state to foster a sports culture to help India secure numerous medals in the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics. Speaking at the East Zone Inter-University Women’s Basketball Championship at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, he emphasized the need to start preparing early to excel in the 2036 Olympics bid.
Adityanath highlighted the state government’s initiatives to support athletes, mentioning that more than 500 medalists have been employed in various departments, and around 96,000 sports kits have been distributed to youngsters at the district level. He also mentioned the recognition and rewards provided to medal winners by both the Union and state governments for their achievements in global sporting events.
The Chief Minister underscored the state’s commitment to assisting young athletes, stating that individuals from Uttar Pradesh who qualify for the Olympics receive financial aid of Rs 10 lakh to aid their participation. He commended the growing enthusiasm for sports in the region, attributing it to the evolving sports culture in the country over the past 11 years.
Adityanath praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives such as ‘Khelo India’, ‘Fit India Movement’, and ‘Khelo MP Youth Games’, considering them crucial steps towards India’s journey to becoming a sports powerhouse. He emphasized that sports not only contribute to physical and mental well-being but also play a pivotal role in nation-building, drawing parallels with the traditional Indian practice of sages engaging in physical activities for a healthy lifestyle.
