In a ceremony resonating with pride and determination, Union Sports Minister Anurag Singh Thakur lauded the exceptional accomplishments of athletes, emphasising their pivotal role in enhancing the nation’s prestige.
The event, held to honour medalists of various sports disciplines, also witnessed heartfelt appreciation extended towards Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for his unwavering support to sports and athletes.
“Before 2014, newspapers in the country were saturated with tales of scams. Today, however, the narrative has shifted significantly. Discussions about scandals have faded, replaced by the triumphant stories of our medal-winning athletes,” Thakur said, highlighting the transformative journey of Indian sports over the past decade.
Thakur acknowledged the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose commitment to sports is evident in the threefold increase in the sports budget. He further lauded the efforts undertaken in Uttar Pradesh to bolster the sports ecosystem, enabling athletes to hone their skills amidst world-class facilities. This concerted effort, he noted, played a pivotal role in the historic achievement of securing 107 medals at the Asian Games.
Addressing the athletes, Thakur expressed admiration for their resilience and determination, emphasising that their victories mark not just milestones but the dawn of a new era in Indian sports. “Your achievements serve as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the nation,” he added.
Speaking on the commitment of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath towards sports development in Uttar Pradesh, Thakur expressed confidence in the state emerging as a frontrunner in sporting excellence.
“Yogi ji’s vision for Uttar Pradesh is clear, and it is incumbent upon all of us to realise his dream,” he asserted.
Highlighting the transformative journey of Uttar Pradesh, Thakur underscored its evolution from a state marred by unrest to a fertile ground for nurturing Olympic contenders.
“Under Yogi ji’s leadership, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a remarkable turnaround, emerging as a powerhouse of talent,” he remarked, emphasising the symbiotic relationship between state support and athletes’ dedication.
Medalists rewarded for excellence
The ceremony also saw the felicitation of medal-winning athletes, with cash rewards and prestigious appointments announced as a token of appreciation for their exemplary achievements. Notable among the recipients were:
Bronze Medalists (Rs 75 lakh each):
Kiran Baliyan Seema Poonia, Gulveer Singh, Arjun Singh, Ahbad Ali, Khushboo
Silver Medalists (Rs 1.5 crore each):
Ajay Kumar Saroj, Karthik Kumar, Puneet Kumar, Neeraj, Nitish Kumar, Arvind Singh, Prachi Vantika Agarwal.
Gold Medalists (Rs 3 crore each):
Parul Chaudhary, Deepti Sharma, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Akhil Shivran, Arjun Deshwal.
Para Asian Games awardees
Bronze Medalists (Rs 75 lakh each): Pushpendra Singh, Shreyans Trivedi.
Silver Medalists (Rs 1.5 crore each): Pradeep Kumar, Simran, Zainab Khatoon, Suraj Singh.
Gold Medalists (Rs 3 crore each): Suhas LY, Praveen Kumar.
Athletes granted appointment letters:
Deepti Sharma (Cricket), Deputy SP; Parul Chaudhary (Athletics), Deputy SP; Akhil Shivran (Shooting) Deputy SP; Arjun Deshwal, Deputy SP; Puneet Kumar, District Youth Welfare Officer, Prachi, District Youth Welfare Officer; Arjun Singh, Passenger, Goods Tax Officer.
