Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Tuesday that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, sports activities in the country have experienced a notable surge, adding that as sports thrive nationwide, how can the state not be a part of this momentum in this field.

Inaugurating the Syed Modi India International Badminton Tournament 2023, the Chief Minister highlighted the remarkable performances of athletes from Uttar Pradesh in the Asian Games.

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“We have all seen this miracle in the Asian Games. Sixteen percent of the country’s population resides in Uttar Pradesh, but when it comes to medals, 25 per cent of the medals in the Asian Games have been won by players from Uttar Pradesh.”

He underscored that beyond motivating players, this global badminton competition serves as a crucial platform for the talented athletes of Uttar Pradesh.

After being introduced to all the players, CM Yogi inaugurated the competition by actively participating in a game of badminton. The Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association, Viraj Sagar Das, also presented a memento to the Chief Minister o the occasion. The event was further enriched by various cultural programs.

Reflecting on the surge in sports activities across India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the tangible impact of initiatives like the Khelo India Khelo campaign, the Fit India Movement, and the promotion of sports competitions at the rural level.

He emphasized that these efforts have led to substantial increase in the number of medals won by the Indian players in the Olympics compared to previous years.

Speaking on the recent achievements in sports, especially in the Asian Games, CM Yogi expressed pride in the fact that Indian players surpassed the 100-medal mark for the first time. He also applauded the brilliant performance of Indian athletes in the Para Asian Games, where they won over 100 medals for the country.

“Notably, players from Uttar Pradesh played a significant role in these exceptional accomplishments,” he remarked.

Assuring all kinds of support to the players of Uttar Pradesh, CM Yogi underscored the positive attitude of both the Central and State governments toward sports activities.

He affirmed that this supportive environment serves as a new platform for players and pledged the government’s commitment to providing all necessary assistance to ensure a bright future for them.

“There was a pressing need for a quality badminton center in Uttar Pradesh, that would serve as a hub for player training and hosting national and international competitions. Former Union Minister Akhilesh Das took the initiative and developed a facility spanning 10 acres,” he said.

“This area has now emerged as a central point, not just for player development but also for the organization of various National and International Championships for badminton players within Uttar Pradesh. On this occasion, I also pay my humble tribute to Dr. Akhilesh Das,” Yogi said.

CM Yogi extended a warm welcome to both the participating players and sports enthusiasts attending the competition, shedding light on the significance of the event.

“This badminton championship was started in Uttar Pradesh in 1991 in memory of the famous badminton player of Uttar Pradesh, Syed Modi, who was the 8-time national champion of badminton national champion and also the Gold winner at Commonwealth Games.”

He added that in 2004, it gained international recognition, and subsequently, the prize money was elevated to 1.5 lakh US dollars by the Badminton World Federation. This competition has also been given the status of World Tour Super 300 by the Badminton World Federation. Currently, the prize money stands at 2.10 lakh US dollars, approximately Rs 1.75 crore.

“Almost all the top badminton players of the world are participating in this competition. Thousands of sports lovers are joining this event. I heartily welcome all sports lovers on the occasion of this grand event.”

During this, Uttar Pradesh Badminton Association President Dr Navneet Sehgal, BBD Group Chairman Alka Das, Principal Secretary Home Sanjay Prasad, Sports Secretary Suhas LY, and Sports Director Dr RP Singh, among others were present.