Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship in Varanasi on Sunday, delivering a powerful address that credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for a transformative shift in India's sporting landscape.
A New Era for Indian Sports
Speaking at the Yogi Sampurnanand Sports Stadium, the Chief Minister asserted that the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Modi has fundamentally reshaped sports in the country. He stated that this leadership has not only revitalized sports within India but has also empowered states like Uttar Pradesh with greater resources and self-assurance.
"Under the PM's guidance, a 'New Sports Culture' has emerged," Adityanath said. This culture, he explained, is built on strengthening discipline, fitness, and team spirit among the youth. He emphasized that sports have transcended their traditional role as mere recreation and are now recognized as a powerful tool for personality development and nation-building.
Infrastructure and Initiatives Driving Change
The CM detailed the concrete steps behind this transformation. He highlighted the development of modern infrastructure, the establishment of transparent selection systems, and the mission-mode implementation of government schemes. These efforts, he claimed, have significantly expanded opportunities for young athletes.
"Competitions now extend from village panchayats to the national level," Adityanath noted, adding that this expanded framework has led to a sharp rise in participation and medal wins by Uttar Pradesh athletes in international events.
He specifically praised initiatives like Khelo India, launched by PM Modi in 2014, for reviving respect for sports and promoting holistic development through physical fitness. Other key programs mentioned included the Fit India Movement, MP sports competitions, and the widespread development of sports infrastructure.
Uttar Pradesh's Sporting Renaissance
Adityanath provided a detailed account of the progress within his state. He revealed that the Senior National Volleyball Championship is being held in Uttar Pradesh after a gap of 43 years, a feat he directly attributed to the Prime Minister's inspiration.
"Over the past eight years, focused efforts have been made to promote sports across UP," the Chief Minister stated. He outlined the ambitious infrastructure push: playgrounds in every village, stadiums in every district, and mini stadiums at the block level. Additionally, urban local bodies and gram panchayats have prioritized building open gyms to ensure access at every level.
The state-of-the-art facilities at the Sampurnanand Sports Stadium, developed under the Smart City project, were cited as a prime example of this modern sporting vision. The result, according to Adityanath, is that UP athletes are now competing and excelling more than ever before at national, Olympic, Commonwealth, and international championships.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries including Mayor Ashok Tiwari, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Rajya Sabha MP Amarpal Maurya, Minister Ravindra Jaiswal, Sports Minister Girish Chandra Yadav, and several MLAs and MLCs.
