Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called upon all universities and colleges to adopt at least one sport and actively nurture the talent associated with it.
The Chief Minister was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the East Zone Inter-University Women’s Basketball Competition at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University on Friday.
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He urged educational institutions to play a meaningful role in promoting discipline, sportsmanship, and healthy competition through sports.
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Emphasizing the social impact of sports, CM Yogi said, “Greater participation in sporting activities helps steer youth away from drugs and other social evils. When young people engage in sports, they develop confidence and character, enabling them to contribute effectively to nation-building and India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.”
Highlighting Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to strengthening sports as a pillar of a Viksit Bharat, the Chief Minister said, “The state has taken several landmark initiatives. Uttar Pradesh’s first sports university has been established in Meerut, which has also emerged as a hub for the manufacturing of sports equipment. These products have been included under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, further boosting local industry and employment.”
CM Yogi noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a vibrant sports culture has taken root across the country over the past 11 years.
He added, “Prior to 2014, sports and athletes were largely ignored, and the absence of international-standard infrastructure forced many players to abandon their sporting aspirations. Since 2014, however, sports and sportspersons have received unprecedented encouragement. Through initiatives such as Khelo India, Fit India, and the Sansad Khel Pratiyogita, the Prime Minister has inspired a healthy, fit, and resilient nation.”
He has ensured that sporting talent is identified and supported at the grassroots level, and his personal engagement with athletes before and after competitions has further boosted their morale.
He added, “Sports instill discipline, self-control, and resilience, which in turn strengthen society and the nation.” He expressed satisfaction that many families today encourage both sons and daughters equally to pursue sports and provide them with the necessary support and resources.
CM Yogi further stated that sports infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh has witnessed rapid expansion.
He added, “The construction of playgrounds and open gyms in village panchayats, mini-stadiums at the block level, and full-fledged stadiums at the district level is progressing at a fast pace. To integrate sports into daily life, the government has distributed sports kits to over 96,000 youth and women’s groups across the state.”
Highlighting the state government’s strong support system for athletes, the Chief Minister said, “Participants from Uttar Pradesh in the Olympic Games receive ₹10 lakh. Gold medalists in individual Olympic events are awarded ₹6 crore along with a Class I government job, while gold medalists in team events receive ₹3 crore. Silver medalists in individual events are also awarded ₹3 crore, with similar incentives for bronze medalists and winners at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and World Championships. To date, more than 500 medal-winning athletes have been provided direct government employment, including appointments as Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tehsildar, and Regional Sports Officer.”
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