Ahmedabad (Gujarat): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday used words such as "nepotism" and "corruption" as India's biggest hurdle that kept them from performing in the high-octane tournaments, saying a cleaned-up system under the current dispensation has reaped medals for the country.
"The country's sportsmen were capable in the past too. This movement of winning medals could have started earlier too. But, instead of professionalism, there was nepotism and corruption in sports. We have cleaned up the system and pumped in new confidence among the youth," he said at the inauguration of the 36th National Games.
With a bustling crowd lustily clapping, lights that glimmered dancingly at the majestic Narendra Modi Stadium, and India's best athletes gracing the stage, Modi applauded the athletes for the contribution that has improved India's image in the world.
"When the event is so wonderful and unique, its energy is bound to be this extraordinary. Your victory in sports will pave the way for the country's success in other fields. The soft power of sports will significantly improve our country's image in the world," he said to the sportspersons.
At the event, Modi credited initiatives -- Khelo India and Fit India -- while embarking on India's uptick in sports trajectory being synonymous with them. "Efforts like Fit India and Khelo India have become a mass movement. The sports budget of the country has increased by almost 70 percent in the last 8 years," he said.
National Games will see the participation of nearly 15,000 sportspersons, coaches, and officials from across the country in 36 sports disciplines. Gujarat, which is hosting the tournament for the first time, sports events will spread out in six cities of Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Bhavnagar.
Highlighting the progress made in the field of sports, the Prime Minister said that 8 years ago, players from India used to participate in less than a hundred international events. On the contrary, the number of international events that players from India participate in has gone up to 300 now.
"8 years ago the players of India used to go to play 20-25 games. Now players from India go to participate in about 40 different sports. Number of medals as well as India's aura are increasing today", the Prime Minister added. Modi also said that sports universities are being set up in the nation, and advanced sports infrastructures are being erected in the country for the athletes to easily avail the facilities.
The National Games that begins today will conclude on October 12.
