New Delhi: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Thursday said that India is reaching new heights in the field of sports under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said that the Prime Minister had made sports a national priority, and initiatives like Khelo India were helping promote a culture of sports across the country.
Sharma was addressing the concluding ceremony of the Sansad Khel Mahotsav at Sawai Man Singh stadium here.
PM Modi addressed the closing ceremony virtually and lauded the Sports Festival, saying that it had become a mass movement.
He said that thousands of talented athletes were emerging through the festival and it was becoming a strong pillar for nation building.
CM Sharma said that under the guidance of the PM, the MP Sports Festival was providing opportunities to youth from towns and villages to showcase their talent.
Initiatives such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the establishment of sports universities have significantly impacted athletes’ lives, he opined.
Sharma added that the state government had taken concrete steps to promote sports in Rajasthan, including the successful organisation of the Khelo India University Games and the launch of the Sports Life Insurance Scheme, which provides accidental and life insurance cover up to Rs 25 lakh to international medallists.
The Chief Minister said no talented athlete in the state will be left behind due to lack of resources.
Sharma also presented trophies to the winners of the cricket competition during the event.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, MP Manju Sharma, MLAs Kailash Verma, Gopal Sharma, Balamukundacharya, other representatives, athletes, coaches, and school students were also present on the occasion.
Later, Sharma also addressed the Good Governance Day ceremony at Officers Training School and paid tributes to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary.
He said that the former PM followed the ideals of Ram Rajya, transforming governance into good governance and Swaraj into Suraj.
He said that PM Modi also believes that good governance is the key to a nation’s progress.
The Chief Minister also administered the oath of good governance to officers and staff.
Deputy Chief Ministers Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, Chief Secretary V Srinivas, DGP Rajeev Kumar Sharma, and senior officials from various departments were present in the programme