Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated on Tuesday that athletes and sportspersons must stay away from drugs, emphasising, “Drugs lead to destruction; those who turn to drugs will not achieve anything significant in life.”

The Chief Minister also cautioned them against smartphone addiction.

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Speaking at a ceremony organised here to honour athletes who brought pride to the country and Uttar Pradesh on a global scale, CM Yogi shared his mantra for success with the youth and athletes.

The Chief Minister noted that smartphones have become the greatest challenge for today’s young generation, affecting their time and efforts.

He encouraged the youth to prepare themselves, assuring that both the central and state governments are creating suitable conditions for their progress. “Sports facilities are being developed in cities and villages across the state to integrate sports into their lives. Alongside quality training, skilled trainers are also being made available.”

To motivate the youth towards sports, CM Yogi also shared inspirational stories of the athletes attending the felicitation ceremony.

In the programme ‘Jinhone Badhaya Desh Ka Maan, Aisi Pratibhaon Ko Samman’, 14 Olympians and Paralympic athletes were honoured. During the felicitation ceremony, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath distributed prize money of Rs 22.70 crore to these athletes who brought honour to the state and the country at large.

The event was attended by a total of 7 medal-winning Olympians and Paralympians, as well as 7 other participants from the Games. The honoured medal winners included Praveen Kumar, Suhas LY, Ajit Singh, Preeti Pal, Simran, Lalit Upadhyay, and Raj Kumar Pal.

Emphasising that every competition, whether small or large, provides an opportunity for athletes to progress, Yogi Adityanath stated, “Today, the sports environment in the country has transformed. The results of the systematic efforts made over the last decade for the promotion of sports and athletes, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are evident to everyone.”

He added, “The Khelo India Abhiyan, Fit India Movement, and Sansad Khel Pratiyogita launched by Prime Minister Modi have transformed the sports environment across the country.”

CM Yogi highlighted that leagues have now begun at the university level and sports competitions are being organised at the village level to offer players a platform to advance. He further noted that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, Uttar Pradesh has initiated various programmes as part of national efforts to promote sports, and significant progress is being made in this regard.

Highlighting the infrastructure development for athletes, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stated, “The double-engine government is continuously focusing on this. Currently, Uttar Pradesh has 84 stadiums, 67 multi-purpose halls, 38 swimming pools, 15 synthetic hockey stadiums, and 3 synthetic running tracks.”

He further mentioned that the state has developed 2 international cricket stadiums, 16 hostels, 47 state-of-the-art gyms, 20 synthetic tennis courts, and 19 dormitories for athletes. Additionally, 2 judo halls, 13 wrestling halls, 6 shooting ranges, 2 indoor volleyball courts, 12 weightlifting halls, and 14 synthetic basketball courts have been established in the state.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasised that the state government is working with ambitious goals to promote sports and support athletes. The state aims to build playgrounds and open gyms in over 57,000 gram panchayats, mini stadiums in all 826 development blocks, and stadiums in all districts. Sports facilities are being provided to athletes at the gram panchayat level.

The Chief Minister stated that former athletes from international, Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth, Asian Games, and World Championships are being appointed as trainers to coach young players. He further mentioned that the state government has introduced the Laxman Award for athletes participating in any international competition and the Rani Laxmibai Award for female athletes, both of which which a cash prize and a citation.

Additionally, the state government provides assistance of Rs 20,000 to players receiving national-level awards and offers monthly financial support to elderly athletes. CM Yogi stated that Eklavya Krida Kosh has been formed in the state and noted that the first sports university, named after Major Dhyanchand, is being constructed in Meerut.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while encouraging the youth of the state, emphasised that the government is committed to providing sufficient funding for athletes. “Youth should immerse themselves in the world of sports and bring glory to the country and the state by winning medals. The state’s sports department is fully supportive of this endeavour,” he added.

CM Yogi encouraged the athletes present at the event to showcase their talents on global platforms and strive to win as many medals as possible. He said that the state government has decided to appoint athletes who elevate the state’s and country’s pride in sports as gazetted officers. Specifically, 2 players will be appointed as Deputy Superintendents of Police, 2 as Naib Tehsildars, 1 as Revenue Tax Officer, and 2 as District Youth Welfare Officers.