Asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has constituted the ‘Olympic Task Force’ and India will be a super power in sports by next decade, Union Minister of State for Sports Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said that India will be among top ten nations in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Government of India has big plans in the field of sports and our mission is now 2028 Olympics, to be held at Los Angeles,” Mr Rijiju said, while addressing the gathering, after inaugurating the Multipurpose Indoor Sports Hall at Bhagwati Nagar, here.
“We have plans and working to achieve the mission and India will emerge among top 10 countries in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” he added.
He said the children of Jammu and Kashmir deserve world class facility and there are some sports, in which they can do wonders.
“Jammu and Kashmir will also emerge as a major sporting house,” he said and added that the Central Government has mega plans in the pipeline for this region.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid special attention for sports in J&K in the last four years and in the next six months, major infrastructure is coming up,” he said and added that there is no dearth of talent in the recently-created Union Territory, which is to be harnessed.
The Union Minister said that focus is also being laid on water and winter sports. In February, winter sports festival will be celebrated in Kashmir.
“Water sports will flourish in J&K and the Centre has framed a strategy for that,” he said and added that national and international level competitions will also be organised.
”Sports like Wushu, Karate, Taekwondo, Judo will get special focus. I have asked the concerned MP and administrative officers to submit a proposal and our ministry will sanction funds for that.
“By giving special focus on sports, we will be accomplishing Mr Modi’s dream of making India “super power” in sports,” he said.
Mr Rijiju further said that post President Rule in Jammu and Kashmir and the day Article 370 was abrogated, J&K witnessed development with pace.
“Article 370 was an obstacle in the development of J&K and after it’s Abrogation, the progress has expedited,” he said and added that Jammu and Kashmir will emerge as one of the top most regions in the field of sports across the country.
“Had the previous governments done their job sincerely and positively, sports would have been clearly different and excelled,” he asserted.
The Minister further said that under capacity building programme, personality development and training to coaches will also be given importance.