Stating that a “new sports culture” has emerged in the country “under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance”, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that sports are no longer limited to recreation as they have become a powerful tool for personality development and nation-building.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship in Varanasi, the chief minister said, “With modern infrastructure, transparent selection systems, and mission-mode implementation of schemes, opportunities for young athletes have expanded significantly. Competitions now extend from village panchayats to the national level, resulting in a sharp rise in the participation and medal wins of UP athletes at international events.”
Adityanath said that in recent years, sports in Uttar Pradesh and across the country have gained a renewed vision, stronger resources, and greater confidence.
“Over the last 11–11.5 years, every Indian has witnessed the rise of a new sports culture. Through the Khelo India initiative launched in 2014, Prime Minister Modi revived respect for sports and promoted the idea of holistic development through physical fitness,” he said, referring to the Centre’s initiatives like Khelo India, Fit India Movement, and MP Sports Competitions.
“In Uttar Pradesh, sports have been further promoted through MP-MLA Sports Competitions and rural-level tournaments,” he said.
“Over the past 8–8.5 years, focused efforts have been made to promote sports across Uttar Pradesh. Playgrounds are being built in every village, stadiums in every district, and mini-stadiums at the block level. Open gyms have been prioritized by urban local bodies and gram panchayats, ensuring access to sports facilities at every level. As a result, UP athletes are now competing and excelling at national, Olympic, Commonwealth, and international championships, winning significantly more medals than in the past,” he added.
During the ceremony, an MoU was signed between the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate for the operation of the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE). As per the MoU, athletes from UP will now receive advanced training under the expert guidance at the NCOE.
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The chief minister, while welcoming 58 participating teams – comprising 30 men’s and 28 women’s teams – noted that the championship is being held in Uttar Pradesh after a 43-year hiatus. He described the event, organised by Varanasi Municipal Corporation, as a result of “Prime Minister Modi’s inspiration, guidance, and leadership”.
“Modern sports infrastructure developed across the state and country reflects this vision, with the state-of-the-art facilities at Sampurnanand Sports Stadium developed under the Smart City project,” the chief minister said.
Mayor Ashok Tiwari welcomed the guests at the ceremony. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Rajya Sabha MP Amarpal Maurya, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ravindra Jaiswal, Dayashankar Mishra ‘Dayalu’, Sports Minister Girish Chandra Yadav, District Panchayat Chairperson Poonam Maurya, MLAs Neelkanth Tiwari, Saurabh Srivastava, Sunil Patel, Tribhuvan Ram, Awadhesh Singh, and MLCs Hansraj Vishwakarma, Dharmendra Singh, along with other dignitaries, were present.
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Maulshree Seth is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, based in Lucknow. With over 15 years of experience in mainstream journalism, she has built a formidable reputation for her on-ground reporting across Uttar Pradesh. Her expertise spans a wide array of critical beats, including state politics, governance, the judiciary, and rural development.
Authoritativeness Maulshree’s work is characterized by depth and historical context. Her coverage of high-stakes state elections and landmark judicial rulings has established her as an authoritative voice on the intersection of law and politics in Northern India. She is frequently recognized for her ability to gain access to primary sources and for her nuanced understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive the world’s most populous sub-national entity.
Trustworthiness & Ethical Journalism Her reporting is rooted in rigorous fact-checking and a steadfast dedication to neutral, unbiased storytelling. By prioritizing field-based verification—often traveling to the most remote corners of the state—she ensures that her readers receive a truthful and comprehensive view of events. … Read More
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