New Delhi, July 23: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur, joined by eminent sportspersons, including Olympic bronze medallists Karnam Malleswari and Yogeshwar Dutt, wished Team India the very best as the 32nd Summer Olympics got underway with the Opening Ceremony at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
Shri. Thakur and the Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri. Nisith Pramanik were in the company of Olympian Akhil Kumar and a host of young shooters and swimmers, who have the potential to compete in the 2024 Games in Paris, at the iconic Maj. Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi. Shri. Thakur also interacted with Chief National Badminton Coach, Pullela Gopichand, and sprinter Asian Games gold medallist Hima Das.
With an effort to cheer the Indian contingent several dignitaries and athletes joined the programme virtually. Ministers of Sports, Mrs. Yashodhara Raje Scindia (Madhya Pradesh), hockey Olympian Sandeep Singh (Haryana) and Tushar Kanti Behra (Odisha), who joined from various parts of the country to support the Indian contingent.
Speaking at the event, Shri. Thakur said, “India’s road to Tokyo Olympics has been a journey filled with tests and triumphs, both for athletes and organizers, in so many ways, quite like the Olympic games themselves!”
Shri Thakur added, “We have put sportspersons and their interests at the center of policy planning with a forward-looking vision. In the last seven years, we have revamped and expanded India’s sports infrastructure. Today talent emerging from small towns is being noticed and nurtured, by providing the best facilities and professional training to compete at the highest level. We’ve also brought a fresh outlook towards building a sports culture in the country. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, over the past few years, the groundwork has been laid down to ensure India becomes a sporting powerhouse. “
The wishes of 130 crore Indians will inspire the 127 Olympic athletes who will showcase their best on the grandest stage in sport. It is a moment of great pride as we cheer for the Indian contingent in the Olympic Games in Tokyo today.”
With 127 athletes in 18 disciplines in Tokyo, India has sent its largest contingent to an Olympic Games, better than the 117 in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. India’s campaign got underway earlier on Friday with the ranking rounds in women’s and men’s Archery.