Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that the Sansad Khel Mahakumbh at Basti in UP would help the State find out its sports talents.     

Opening the second phase of the event, Modi said that Basti was the abode of the Maharishi Vashist, which is made up of labour and meditation, asceticism and renunciation.

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Drawing an analogy to the life of a sports player filled with meditation and penance, he said that successful sports players were focused on their goal and overcome every obstacle in their path.

The PM hoped that the country’s traditional expertise in sports would get a new wing through such events and said that about 200 Parliamentarians have organised such Khel Mahakumbh in their constituencies.

According to Modi, through these games, performing athletes were picked up for further training under the Sports Authority of India. He hoped that about 40,000 athletes, three times more than the last year, are participating in the Khel Mahakumbh.

Highlighting the key aspect of girl’s participation in the Sansad Khel Mahakumbh, he believed that the daughters of Basti, Purvanchal, Uttar Pradesh and all over India would showcase their talent and skills on a global stage.

Recalling the Women’s U-19 T20 Cricket World Cup, he highlighted the achievement of the team captain Shefali Verma, who scored 5 consecutive boundaries and hit a 6 on the last ball, thereby accumulating 26 runs in one over.

Such talents are available in every nook and corner of the country and the Saansad Khel Mahakumbh plays a key role in scouting and harnessing it, said the Prime Minister.

Modi also recalled that the time when sports was considered an ‘extracurricular’ activity and was relegated to a hobby or activity without much value, a mentality that greatly harmed the country. This, he said, led to many talented sportspersons not achieving their potential.

In the last 8-9 years, the country has taken many initiatives to overcome this drawback and create a better environment for sports. This has resulted in many more youngsters taking up sports as a career, he said.

Throwing light on the thought process among people regarding sports, he said that the effects of change could be seen through the sports achievements of the country.

The Prime Minister gave examples of the historic performance of the nation in the Olympics and Paralympics and remarked that India’s performance in various sports fields is becoming a point of discussion in the world.

Sports is getting due prestige in society, he said, adding that this has resulted in unprecedented performance in the Olympics, Paralympics and other competitions.

Shedding light on the importance of the Fit India Movement, Modi said that every player knows the importance of fitness. The Prime Minister said, “with yoga, your body will also be healthy and your mind will also be awake. You will also get the benefit of this in your game.”

UP Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath and MP Harish Dwivedi were present on the occasion among others.

The Sansad Khel Mahakumbh has been organised in Basti district by Basti MP, Harish Dwivedi since 2021.