IMPHAL: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today,  April 24m  asked the Central and State Sports Ministers to work together "to offer quality infrastructure to every talented player in India" and formulate short and long-term goals to make India a leading sports nation.

Addressing a 'Chintan Shivir' of Sports Ministers of States and Union territories being held at Imphal, the Manipur capital, Prime Minster emphasized the need to have more competitions at the local level so that the players get the much-needed experience. The PM also asked the Ministers to ensure no sporting talent is overlooked.

"You have to focus on sports infrastructure, and sports training as per the needs of each tournament. You also have to determine short-term, medium-term and long-term goals”, the Prime Minister said in a virtual address.

The PM compared it to man-to-man marking in sports like football and hockey and said that while the athletes are getting ready, it's now time for the Ministries to take a different tack when it comes to sporting events.

The Prime Minister mentioned the Khelo India Scheme and said that it has undoubtedly enhanced the sports infrastructure at the district level. He then urged the Ministers to expand the improvements to the block level.

The involvement of all parties, including the corporate sector, is crucial, according to PM Modi. The PM added that the National Youth Festival should be redesigned to make it more impactful and that similar events hosted in the United States shouldn't just be a formality.

The Prime Minister stated that only by making such efforts on a nationwide level will India be able to establish itself as a top sports nation.  At the conclusion of the "Chintan Shivir," he expressed confidence that the Sports Ministers from throughout the nation will learn something new.

The PM emphasised the need to talk about future goals and also review the previous conferences, saying that "any Chintan Shivir begins with contemplation, proceeds with rumination, and ends with implementation." He  recalled the prior gathering in Kevadiya in 2022 and emphasised that numerous significant subjects were covered, and a decision was made to create a roadmap for an ecosystem for the development of sports.

The PM  discussed boosting sports participation between the Centre and the States and emphasised the progress that has been done. He continued by saying that the assessment should focus on the development of infrastructure and sporting accomplishments from the prior year rather than policies and programmes. He alsoo mentioned how Northeast India and Manipur have made major contributions to advancing the national sporting legacy.

"By winning medals for the nation, numerous athletes from the Northeast have increased the Tricolor's prestige. "The Northeast adds new hues to the nation's cultural diversity and gives the nation's sporting diversity new dimensions. He said that more than Rs 400 crores worth of sports infrastructure developments were giving Northeast India's development a new focus.

The region's native games, such as Sagol Kangjei, Thang-ta, Yubi Lakpi, Mukna, Hiyang Tannaba, and Oo-Lawbi, were emphasised by the prime minister, who noted that they are all highly appealing in their own way.

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