Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the daughters of India will show their strength both at the national as well as international levels at the inauguration of Saansad Khel Mahakumbh in Uttar Pradesh. He stated that one of the specialties of Khel Mahakumbh is that it provides a platform for young female athletes to show their talent and excel in front of everyone.
The event was organised in the Basti district of Uttar Pradesh. "Delighted that a grand Khel Mahakumbh has been organised here. This'll give an opportunity for local sportspersons to fly. I've been told that around 200 MPs of India oragnised such events in their constituencies," said PM Modi.
Addressing the event, Modi said, "I'm an MP from Kashi. Even there, a series of such sports events has begun. By organising such Khel Mahakumbh at several places & organising MP Sports Events, MPs are working to build the future of the new generation. Young athletes who perform well at Saansad Khel Mahakumbh are being selected for further training at Sports Authority of India's training centres. It'll benefit country's youth power. In this Mahakumbh, over 40,000 youths are participating."
Speaking about women's participation in sports, Modi further stated, "Another speciality of Saansad Khel Mahakumbh is that our daughters are participating in it in large numbers. I am confident that the daughters of Basti, Purvanchal, UP and the country will similarly show their strength in national and international competitions."
"A few days back we saw how India's captain Shafali Verma gave a terrific performance in the Women's U-19 T20 World Cup. Shafali hit 5 consecutive fours and hit a six in the last ball of the over, scoring 26 runs in one over. Such talent resides in every corner of India," he said praising Shafali Verma's performance in the Women's U-19 T20 World Cup.
"There was a time when the sport was considered an extra-curricular activity. It was considered separate from education, only a mode of passing time. Children were taught the same. So, generation after generation a mindset developed in society that sports aren't that important. This mindset caused a big loss to the country. Innumerable youths and unaccountable talent remained away from the field. In the last 8-9 years, the country has left behind this old mindset and worked to create a better environment for sports," Modi added.