Anurag Thakur, Pramanik and Olympic stalwarts cheer for the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony’s screening program

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, Minister of State for Sports Nisith Pramanik, four-time Olympian Yogeshwar Dutt and India’s first woman Olympic medalist Karnam Malleswari participated in the Olympics organized by Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here. India was encouraged in the screening program of the opening ceremony of the Games.

Minister of State for Railways Raosaheb Patil Danve and Smt. Darshana Jardosh, four-time Olympian Yogeshwar Dutt, India’s first woman Olympic medalist Karnam Malleswari, boxer Akhil Kumar and Secretary (Sports), Ravi Mittal, Cheer 4 India as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision As part of the campaign, Indian athletes joined the event to encourage them.
In an effort to motivate the Indian contingent, many dignitaries and athletes from different parts of the country participated in the event through virtual medium. Sports Minister of Madhya Pradesh Smt. Yashodhara Raje Scindia; Hockey Olympian and Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh and Odisha Sports Minister Tushar Kanti Behera were among those who supported the Indian contingent from different parts of the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Thakur said that India’s road to Tokyo Olympics has been a journey full of trials and victories, both from the point of view of athletes and organisers. In many ways, just like the Olympic Games! Thakur said that we have kept the players and their interests at the center with a visionary approach. He said that in the last seven years, we have reshaped and expanded India’s sports infrastructure. He said that today the focus is on emerging talent from small towns, they are being developed as they are getting best facilities and professional training to compete at the highest level. He said that we have brought a new approach towards creating a culture of sports in the country. Thakur said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the last seven years, grassroots work has been done to make India a sports superpower.
Thakur also said that the wishes of 130 crore Indians will inspire 127 Olympic sportspersons who will give their best on the biggest stage of sports. Today, we are boosting the morale of the Indian contingent participating in the Tokyo Olympic Games, which is a very proud moment for us.

Minister of State for Sports Nisith Pramanik said that whether it is Odisha or Bengal or Manipur, the eastern part of the country has also given us excellent players like Mary Kom and Hima Das.

During this conversation, four-time Olympian Yogeshwar Dutt said that the desire among the players for a medal, it will give India victory. Recalling her victory at the Olympics, India’s first woman medalist Karnam Malleswari said she had tears in her eyes when the then Prime Minister called her India’s daughter. Pullela Gopichand, former Indian badminton player and national coach said, “For me the environment of the game and the development of sports in the country is what really drives me forward, I have seen a remarkable change in sports and support from people.

Minister of State for Railways Smt. Darshana Jardosh highlighted that 21 out of 25 representatives of Railways are women and said that she is confident of winning India’s medals. Minister of State for Railways Raosaheb Danve said that Indian Railways has good coaches for the training of athletes. He said that in the near future, we are working towards developing the Railways’ Centers of Excellence for sports, which will provide world class training and other facilities to the sportspersons. Haryana Sports Minister Sandeep Singh said that a large number of athletes representing India in Tokyo Olympics are from Haryana and hoped that they would bring laurels to their country by winning medals. Madhya Pradesh Sports Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia said that if we provide the right training, facilities and coaching to our athletes, their chances of winning medals greatly increase.

During his interaction with Sony Studio Anurag Thakur said that we are trying to focus on development of sports by building infrastructure and organizing sports events like Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India University Games and Khelo India School Games. are. We will also try to organize big sporting events in the country. Another focus of ours will be on producing good quality coaches. And finally giving employment opportunities to athletes will encourage them to take up sports as a career.

The dignitaries later watched the live telecast of the Olympic Games opening ceremony at the venue and raised slogans while the Indian contingent marched to the National Stadium in Tokyo.

India has sent its largest contingent of 127 athletes in 18 sporting events to these Olympic Games, including the highest female representation of 56 athletes.