PM Modi gave sports new identity: Haryana minister Gaurav Gautam

Palwal. Schoolboy cricketers from Sri Lanka played a friendly match against local juniors in Palwal on Tuesday. Haryana’s sports minister was there, and he used the match to say that the country’s sporting culture has changed course under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sri Lanka’s Under-14 team played the Under-14 side of Saraswati Cricket Academy at the Laxman Mahalawat Cricket Academy. Gaurav Gautam was the chief guest. He is Minister of State for Sports and Youth Empowerment and also the MLA for Palwal.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sports in the country have got a new identity and a new direction,” Gautam said. In line with the Prime Minister’s vision, he said, the focus is on getting young people into sports, backing talented players and building better facilities.

Why does the India-Sri Lanka junior match matter?

Gautam said the friendly was a good step towards closer sporting ties between India and Sri Lanka. “Matches like this give our young players a chance to play alongside international-level players and learn from their experience,” he said.

He said sport is about more than fitness. “It teaches discipline, self-confidence and leadership. It builds brotherhood among players and goodwill between countries.”

What did Gaurav Gautam say about Haryana’s sports policy?

The minister said the state government under Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini keeps working to promote sporting talent. He gave the credit for Haryana athletes’ success at national and international level to the state’s sports policy, its support for players and its modern facilities. He said the policy is praised across the country.

He also claimed that Haryana is the only state whose players win honours for it across India and the world. “People across the globe know Haryana for its sporting achievements. Today, sports and Haryana are seen as one,” he said.

What is Mission Olympics 2036?

Gautam said young players are being trained for the Olympics under Mission Olympics 2036. The aim is to find talent across the state and give athletes proper training, resources and better chances, so that they can win glory for India at the 2036 Olympics and other international events.

The state government’s stated goal for the mission is to raise Haryana’s Olympic medal count from four to 36 by the 2036 Games.

Before leaving, Gautam asked young players to take part in sports actively along with their studies.