New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak to Indian athletes going to the Tokyo Olympics on July 13, while the first batch of Indian athletes will leave three days later.
The government's public participation platform 'MyGovIndia' tweeted, "Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will speak to Indian athletes going for Olympics to Tokyo from July 23 to August 8 to encourage them,"
India's first team will leave by Air India. More than 120 players from India have qualified for Tokyo Olympics. The Indian Olympic Association has not yet officially announced the number of players.
Sportspersons should be supported without pressurizing them - PM Narendra Modi
Earlier, in 'Mann Ki Baat', PM Modi said regarding the athletes who qualified for the Olympics, the country should support them without pressuring them during the Tokyo Games. The Prime Minister said, "Most of the players in our country come from small towns, cities, and villages. Our Olympic team going to Tokyo also includes many such players whose life inspires a lot."
PM mentioned Priyanka Goswami
Priyanka Goswami of Uttar Pradesh will represent the country in a 20 km race walk. Her father is a bus conductor. PM Modi said, "Priyanka's father is a bus conductor. As a child, Priyanka loved the bag that medal winners get. In this attraction, she took part in the race walking competition for the first time. Now, today she is a big champion."