The country in the last eight years has achieved new heights of development. Sports that were completely neglected are giving a new recognition to India internationally and the MP Sports Competition is providing a platform to hidden talents, said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday.
He virtually inaugurated the Sansad Sports Competition being held in Agra while former Union Minister Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was present physically in Agra.
He said that India has got the opportunity to chair the G-20 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Chief Minister congratulated the Union Minister of State for Law and Justice SP Singh Baghel and his team for organising the event.
The CM said that last year, about 26,000 people participated in 22 sports events organized during the Sansad Sports Competition. This year, 34 sports events are being organized. He said that the state government has taken several steps to encourage sports and sportspersons.
He said that a financial reward of Rs 6 crores is provided by the government for winning a gold medal in Olympics; Rs 4 crore for winning a silver medal and Rs 2 crore for winning a bronze medal whereas in terms of team games in Olympics, a prize money of Rs 3 crore is awarded for gold medal, Rs 2 crore for silver and Rs 1 crore for bronze.
He said that in the Asian Games, a prize of Rs 3 crore is given for the gold medal, Rs 1.5 crore for the silver and Rs 75 lakh for the bronze medal. The state government also honours medal winners in the World Cup and Commonwealth Games.
The CM said that Major Dhyanchand Sports University is being established in Meerut by the state government. At present, the process of making sports grounds is going on in all 58,000 Gram Panchayats of the state while land has been reserved for it in 34,000 Gram Panchayats. Besides this, the process of making mini stadiums at the block level is going on a war footing.
The CM said that Uttar Pradesh has given sports talents like Major Dhyanchand. “The government believes that such talents, if properly trained, can bring glory to the state and India on the global stage. For the physical and mental development of the youth, PM Modi started the Khelo India and Fit India Movement,” he said.