Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared that sports have evolved into a potent instrument for personality development and nation-building, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for fostering a transformative "new sports culture" across India. He made these remarks during the inauguration of the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship in Varanasi on Sunday.
A New Vision for Sports in India
Adityanath stated that under the Prime Minister's guidance, sports have shed their image as mere recreation. "With modern infrastructure, transparent selection systems, and mission-mode implementation of schemes, opportunities for young athletes have expanded significantly," he said. He emphasized that competitions now span from village panchayats to the national level, leading to a marked increase in the participation and international medal tally of athletes from Uttar Pradesh.
The Chief Minister specifically pointed to the last 11 to 11.5 years as a period of renaissance for Indian sports. "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," Adityanath noted. He also referenced other central government campaigns like the Fit India Movement and MP Sports Competitions that have bolstered this cultural shift.
Grassroots Infrastructure Boost in Uttar Pradesh
Detailing the progress in his own state, Adityanath outlined a comprehensive eight-and-a-half-year effort to promote sports at all levels. "Playgrounds are being built in every village, stadiums in every district, and mini-stadiums at the block level," he announced. He added that urban local bodies and gram panchayats have prioritized installing open gyms, ensuring widespread access to sports facilities.
This infrastructure push, combined with initiatives like MP-MLA Sports Competitions and rural tournaments, has yielded tangible results. The CM asserted that UP athletes are now consistently competing and excelling at national, Olympic, Commonwealth, and other international championships, winning significantly more medals than in the past.
Strategic MoU for Advanced Training
A key development during the ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate. This agreement focuses on the operation of the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE). As per the MoU, athletes from Uttar Pradesh will now receive advanced training under expert guidance at the NCOE, providing a major boost to their professional development.
Adityanath highlighted that the volleyball championship's return to Uttar Pradesh after a 43-year hiatus was a direct outcome of "Prime Minister Modi’s inspiration, guidance, and leadership." He cited the state-of-the-art facilities at Varanasi's Sampurnanand Sports Stadium, developed under the Smart City project, as an example of the modern sports infrastructure reflecting this national vision.
The event, organized by the Varanasi Municipal Corporation, saw participation from 58 teams (30 men's and 28 women's). Dignitaries present included Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Rajya Sabha MP Amarpal Maurya, Sports Minister Girish Chandra Yadav, Mayor Ashok Tiwari, and several MLAs and MLCs.
