Panchkula (Haryana) [India], June 29 : Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya attended the ongoing 63rd National Inter State Senior Athletics Championship at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana as the Chief Guest.
During his visit, he interacted with the players participating in the Olympic Games and encouraged them.
Addressing the event, he said that opportunities are being given to talented youth. He asked them for suggestions on reducing the drop-out rates from competitive sports. He observed that many of those who started but didn't win medals got left behind.
Mandaviya stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is working to strengthen the sports infrastructure. He informed that the sports talent is being encouraged from the grassroots level. He explained about the progress made in the field of sports in the last ten years.
He expressed confidence that our young athletes will perform at their best in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Mandaviya also unveiled the new logo of the Athletics Federation of India. He presented the medals to the players at Tau Devi Lal Stadium.
Earlier in the day, he visited the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports today to meet Olympic-bound athletes weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, Javelin Thrower Annu Rani and Shot Putter Abha Khatua according to a press release by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Mirabai Chanu highlighted the immense support from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, particularly in being able to secure the services of world-renowned sports scientist Dr. Aaron Horschig from St. Louis in the United States of America while Annu Rani spoke glowingly about being able to train for an extended period of time at European bases.
Mandaviya also interacted with other athletes enrolled in the National Centre of Excellence here and some prominent coaches. He asked them for suggestions on reducing the drop-out rates from competitive sports.
"You are getting the needed support. However, many of those who started with you, but didn't win medals get left behind. What can we do for them?" he asked.
He also shared that in keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the overall development of Sports, the Government would encourage the identification and nurturing of grassroots talent.
The Union Minister also took a review of NSNIS and visited the various Fields of Play, Sports Science facilities and the new infrastructure project sites. He was also pleased with the progress of the High-Performance Centre for Sports Science and the kitchen and dining.
"I am delighted to be at hallowed NIS, the traditional home of Indian sport. It continues to a critical hub to not only produce coaches of quality who can make a change at the grassroot level but has also a great training facility. Some of our athletes who have trained at other centres around the world believe NIS is comparable with the best," Mandaviya added.
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