PM Modi'€™s vision has created a strong sports ecosystem: UP CM Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath credits Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for transforming the state's sports ecosystem over the past decade through infrastructure development and athlete encouragement.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision had helped build a robust sports ecosystem in the country and especially in UP over the past decade.

Addressing the closing and prize distribution ceremony of the 46th Junior National Rowing Championship at Ramgarh Tal, the chief minister said rapid development of sports infrastructure and sustained encouragement to athletes had transformed the state's sporting landscape.

He said the transformation of Ramgarh Tal reflected this change.

''Before 2017, people avoided coming here because of filth and crime. Today, national rowing competitions and training camps for women athletes preparing for international events are being organised here,'' he said.

''Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision has helped build a robust sports ecosystem in the country and especially in Uttar Pradesh over the past decade,'' he added.

Around 300 rowers from 20 states participated in the championship organised by the Rowing Federation of India.

Adityanath said sports teach discipline, positivity and team spirit while keeping youth away from drugs and negativity.

Quoting poet Sohanlal Dwivedi, the chief minister encouraged athletes to face challenges fearlessly and described ''Charaiveti-Charaiveti'' (keep moving forward) as life's guiding mantra.

Highlighting the state government's sports policy, the chief minister said 534 medal-winning athletes from events such as the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games had been given direct government jobs, while recruitment of 500 more sportspersons was underway.

He added that Ramgarh Tal is emerging as a major water sports hub and would host more rowing and canoeing events in future.

In the championship, Madhya Pradesh won the girls' overall title, while Army Boys Sports Company emerged champions in the boys' category.