PM’s vision has created a strong sports ecosystem in India: CM Yogi

Gorakhpur: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for building a robust sports ecosystem in the country, and especially in Uttar Pradesh, over the past decade.

Addressing the prize distribution ceremony of the 46th Junior National Rowing Championship at Ramgarh Tal, the chief minister said rapid development of sports infrastructure and sustained encouragement to athletes have transformed the state’s sporting landscape.

He said the transformation of Ramgarh Tal reflected this change. “Before 2017, people avoided coming here because of filth and crime. Today, national rowing competitions and training camps for women athletes preparing for international events are being organised here,” he said.

Ramgarh Tal is emerging as a major water sports hub and would host more rowing and canoeing events in future, he added.

Highlighting the state govt’s sports policy, Yogi said 534 medal-winning athletes from events such as the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games have been given govt jobs, while recruitment of 500 more sportspersons was underway.

Around 300 rowers from 20 states participated in the championship organised by the Rowing Federation of India.

Yogi said sports teach discipline, positivity and team spirit while keeping youth away from drugs and negativity.

Quoting poet Sohanlal Dwivedi, the CM encouraged athletes to face challenges fearlessly and described “Charaiveti-Charaiveti” (keep moving forward) as life’s guiding mantra.

In the championship, Madhya Pradesh won the girls’ overall title, while Army Boys Sports Company emerged champions in the boys’ category.