Lauds TOI for incentivising sports with TOISA
LUCKNOW: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said that the money invested in sports promotion never goes waste and every penny spent on it helps in nation building.
“We strongly believe that investment in sports will never go waste. It will give constructive energy for nation building,” the CM said in his address at The Times of India Sports Award-2024 (TOISA-2024), organised in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh govt.
The Uttar Pradesh govt bagged the TOISA award for being the ‘best state for sports promotion’. Minister of state for sports, UP, Girish Chandra Yadav received the award from the CM for the second year in a row.
Lauding The Times of India for incentivising sports with the prestigious award, the CM said: “The event would inspire future generations. I had committed to attending this event, but circumstances changed, and a moment came when I felt I may have to give it a miss. But then, I directed our sports minister to make sure to represent the state govt and convey all out support to the sports fraternity,” the chief minister said.
“Now that I am here, I can say that it is a matter of immense happiness for me to welcome the superstars of the sports fraternity who inspire the young generation of India,” he said.
Stating that a new sports culture has emerged in the past decade and a number of steps have been taken by the UP govt to prioritise creation of infrastructure for athletes, the CM highlighted the efforts undertaken for the cause of sports.
People have started believing sports can be a career too: CM
“Sports grounds are being developed at the village level with open gyms for athletes. Sports kits have been distributed to 50,000 youth and women’s groups. Mini stadiums are being built in 826 development blocks, and stadiums in every district are prioritised,” he said.” The govt believes that investment in sports will never go to waste, and athletes are being honoured and offered jobs. The state’s first sports university is set to open in Meerut, with an Arjuna Awardee as its vice-chancellor,” the CM said.
He also mentioned that efforts were on to establish a sports college in each district and 18 divisions. Announcing that the Maha Kumbh 2025 had registered a footfall of 60 crore pilgrims, Yogi said: “The enthusiasm and passion which is making the Maha Kumbh happen is common to sports per sons who give their maximum to create benchmarks.” Assuring that there was no dearth of money with the Union and state govts for sports, he said, “You have played for the nation, and this commitment, discipline and team spirit is an inspiration to society besides helping in shaping it for the better. Also, it is encouraging to see that people have started believing that sports can also be a career, it can earn respect for people.”
The CM also said that sports was a key instrument to save the younger generation from getting misguided, “It is essential to divert the youth towards sports to channelise their energy towards nation building,” the CM said while urging the athletes to share suggestions related to sports, assuring that the state govt was committed to implementing them.
“Today, there is no shortage of funds or resources in the state or country. While Uttar Pradesh once struggled for resources, it now has ample supplies. The central and state govts are ready to support athletes in every possible way,” the CM said.