Anurag Thakur Inaugurates 300-Bed Hostel At National Institute Of Sports In Patiala

The minister also inaugurated two separate newly renovated hostels dedicated to the country's legendary hockey player Major Dhyanchand and star sprinter PT Usha.

Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur inaugurated a new sports hostel facility at the Spots Authority of India's (SAI) Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) in Patiala on Saturday. It has been reported that the 300-bed hostel was constructed at a cost of 26.77 crore (INR).

Meanwhile, the minister also inaugurated two separate hostels dedicated to the country's legendary hockey player Major Dhyanchand and star sprinter PT Usha. Both these hostels were renovated at a further cost of over 5 crores.

"It is the endeavour of the government to provide the best possible facilities to athletes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always harped on the importance of keeping athletes at the centre of all policies. The launching of this 300 bedded hostel and the upgradation of the old hostels is yet another step in this direction so that athletes training at this prestigious centre have improved lodging facilities," Thakur said while speaking at the inauguration.

We are preparing for 2024 Paris Olympics: Anurag Thakur

Meanwhile, the 48-year-old also reportedly talked about India's preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics. While India had their best-ever campaign at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the challenge for India will be to sustain or even improve on that campaign in the subsequent editions of the sporting event.

"We are preparing for 2024 Paris Olympics. Mission Olympic committee meets every month to strategise. Under Annual Training Calendar, we give Rs 300 crores to different sports federations for training of sports persons," Thakur was quoted as saying by ANI.

Talking about the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, Thakur highlighted the institute's great legacy in producing world class sportspersons and coaches. He added that new courses have been introduced here so that even the coaches and continue to learn more skills and improve on their existing ones.

In addition, the Minister inaugurated a Sports Performance Analysis course which will be taught at the institute for the first-time.

(With agency inputs)