February 6, 2023
NEW DELHI – Noting that the sports budget of India has increased almost three times since 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday emphasised the need to create an environment for learning every discipline related to sports management and sports technology thereby creating an opportunity for the youth to make a career in these fields.
Addressing the participants of ‘Jaipur Mahakhel’ via video conferencing, the Prime Minister underlined that sports are finally being viewed from the athlete’s perspective rather than a political one.
He said nothing is impossible for the youth and every objective becomes easier when the strength of their capabilities, self-respect, self-reliance, facilities and resources is realised.
The Prime Minister informed that the Sports Ministry has been allocated a budget of Rs 2500 crore this year when compared to Rs 800-Rs 850 crore before 2014.
“The Sports Budget of the country has increased almost three times since 2014,” he said.
The Prime Minister further informed that more than Rs 1000 crore have been allocated to the ‘Khelo India’ campaign alone which will be spent on the development of sports facilities and resources in the country.
Modi observed that there was no lack of passion and talent for sports among the youth of India, but it was the unavailability of resources and support from the government that created hindrances. He underlined that these issues faced by the athletes are being addressed today.
Giving the example of ‘Jaipur Mahakhel’ which has been organised for the past 5-6 years, the Prime Minister said ‘Khel Mahakumbhs’ are being organised in every part of the country by Members of Parliament from the BJP where the talents of thousands of youth are coming to the fore.
Modi credited the central government for these successes as sports facilities are being developed at the district and local levels. Informing about the development of sports infrastructure for lakhs of youth in hundreds of districts of the country, the Prime Minister threw light on the state of Rajasthan where sports infrastructure is being developed in many cities.
“Today, sports universities are being set up in the country, and big events like ‘Khel Mahakumbh’ are also being organised in a professional manner,” the Prime Minister said as he drew attention to the National Sports University which has been allocated the maximum budget this year.
“Our government is attentive that no youth should be left behind due to lack of money,” the Prime Minister underlined as he informed that the central government is now supporting best performing players up to Rs 5 lakh annually.
He further added that the amount given in major sports awards has also been increased up to three times. Giving examples of schemes like TOPS which allows players to prepare for the Olympics for years, the Prime Minister said the government stands with its players with full power even in big global competitions like the Olympics.
The Prime Minister underlined that the series of sports competitions and ‘Khel Mahakumbhs’ that are being organised all over the country is a reflection of the monumental changes taking place.
Noting that the land of Rajasthan is known for the passion and vigour of the youth, the Prime Minister said that history is proof that the children of the land have turned battlefields into sports fields with their valour.
“The youth of Rajasthan always come ahead of the rest when it comes to the security of the nation,” the Prime Minister remarked as he credited the sport’s traditions of Rajasthan for shaping the mental and physical capabilities of the youth of the region.
He gave examples of traditional games like dada, sitolia, and rumal jhapatta that are organised during Makar Sankranti and have been a part of Rajasthan’s traditions for hundreds of years.
The Prime Minister also witnessed a Kabbadi match on the occasion. Lok Sabha MP from Jaipur Rural, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore has been organising the ‘Jaipur Mahakhel’ since 2017.
The ‘Mahakhel’, focussing on Kabaddi competition this year, started on National Youth Day on January 12. It has witnessed the participation of more than 6400 youths and sports persons from more than 450 gram panchayats, municipalities and wards of all 8 legislative assembly regions of Jaipur Rural Lok Sabha constituency.
The organisation of ‘Mahkhel’ provides an opportunity for the youth of Jaipur to showcase their sporting talent and also motivates them to take up sports as a career option.