UP's first sports university will be set up in Meerut: CM Yogi Adityanath at Times of India Sports Awards

UP’s first sports university will be set up in Meerut: CM Yogi Adityanath at Times of India Sports Awards

NEW DELHI: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said the state’s first sports university will be set up in Meerut, adding that the “culture of sports” has seen a revival in India under the Narendra Modi-led government.

Speaking at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) in Lucknow, the CM thanked the Times Group for picking UP as the venue for the event and conferring the ‘changemaker of the year’ award on the state.

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Adityanath, who was the chief guest of the event, facilitated sports achievers across 23 regular sports and 10 para sports categories, encompassing individual brilliance and team triumphs.

“In the last 10 years, the culture of sports has seen a great revival … PM Modi’s initiatives such as Khelo India Khelo and Fit India Movement has sparked a new interest in sports,” he said, adding that sports has become a way for athletes to showcase their, as well as the nation’s, strength and determination in the international arena.

UP winning more medals: Yogi Adityanath

The CM said the state government’s investment in sports infrastructure and its athletes is already showing results.

“UP accounts for just 16% of India’s population but its athletes brought home 25% of all medals won by the country in the Asian Games … Earlier, the population of UP was more, but medals were less. Today, the population is less, but medals are more,” said Yogi Adityanath.

“We all know that we have honoured Mohammad Sami here. Along with his record, we also announced a stadium in his village. And I felt good that his father was happier than him. Because he has played for the country, not for himself. It is his hard work. But when he plays, it is new inspiration for the youth of the country,” said the CM.

UP govt posts for sportspersons

The UP CM also talked about how the state government was working towards integrating accomplished sportspersons into the administration so that they can offer their expertise to concerned officials as well as the youth.

“Additional chief secretary Avneesh Awasthi, sports additional chief secretary Navneesh Sehgal and director of sports R.P. Singh, have prepared a very good game strategy. And under this strategy, we can give such players a place in the government. And I am happy that whether it is the Olympics or Asian Games, we have promoted the participation of the players of the state in an equitable manner,” Yogi Adityanath added.

“We have incorporated 10 Gazetted officers from Olympics and Asian Games in UP state government, along with 500 athletes in different posts,” CM Yogi Adityanath said, adding: “We have also allocated special budget for Khelo India Centre at the municipal level. Khelo UP centre will be established with a former national/international player as its coach with a specific stipend to encourage a better environment for sports in the state.”

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