UP has one-fourth share in India’s Asian Games medal haul: Yogi Adityanath

Like the Sansad Khel Pratiyogita, a new programme, Sansad Sanskritik Karyakaram, will be held to celebrate the local culture of a particular Lok Sabha constituency, he said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in such an event in Varanasi recently.

Cricket World Cup matches will be held at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, he informed after handing over prizes to the winners.

Earlier, in a video message played out during the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the sportspersons, highlighting how the youth from smaller towns are getting opportunities to showcase their talent — be it sports or start-ups. The PM said players from Amethi showcased their sporting talent the way Indian players hit a century of winning medals in the Asian Games. The experience they gained in the 25-day event in Amethi will be a great asset in their sporting career, he added.

“In the coming time, sportspersons from Amethi will win medals in national as well as international tournaments. Right now, we have the target of making Bharat a developed country. For this, every citizen has a role and all regions will have to move forward with one feeling, one target, and one pledge for this,” he added.

“Under initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Khelo India Games, hundreds of athletes are being trained and coached in the country and abroad and being given assistance worth crores of rupees.

More than 3,000 players are being given the assistance of Rs 50,000 per month under the Khelo India Games which helps them in meeting the needs of training, diet, coaching, kit, and other expenses, he added.

Modi said athletes won medals in the Asian Games as a result of the government respecting their talent and providing all possible facilities. He also highlighted the performances of UP’s Annu Rani, Parul Chaudhary, and Sudha Singh in the Asian Games.