Synopsis
Baichung Bhutia asserts that the 2036 Olympics will enhance Indian sports. At the 'Khel Mahakumbh,' he and Anurag Thakur motivated young athletes, emphasizing the need for collaboration in sports development and the promotion of traditional Indian games.Key Takeaways
- Hosting the 2036 Olympics will boost Indian sports.
- Collaboration between government and organizations is essential.
- Promotion of traditional sports on a global scale is needed.
- Focus on nurturing grassroots talent.
- Exciting competitions at Khel Mahakumbh.
Prayagraj, Feb 8 (NationPress) Baichung Bhutia, the former captain of the Indian football team, believes that the organization of the 2036 Olympics will propel Indian sports to unprecedented heights. On the third day of the ongoing week-long ‘Khel Mahakumbh’, Bhutia, along with former Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, attended the event, inspiring young athletes with their powerful messages.
The grand sports festival, hosted by Kreeda Bharati and TYC, featured Bhutia as the chief guest during the initial session. While addressing the audience, Bhutia commended the Uttar Pradesh government’s initiatives to promote sports, stating, “The efforts of Yogi ji for football are commendable. If UP thrives, then India thrives. Hosting the 2036 Olympics will elevate Indian sports significantly.” He highlighted the necessity for joint efforts between the government and organizations like Dream Sports Foundation to improve sports infrastructure and training.
During the second session, Anurag Thakur took the spotlight, emphasizing the significance of showcasing India’s traditional sports on a global stage. “We must elevate our indigenous sports such as Kabaddi, Kalaripayattu, Mallakhamb, and Kho-Kho to international standards. Before the world acknowledges our traditional sports, we must first embrace them ourselves. During my term as Sports Minister under Prime Minister Modi, we initiated the promotion of our native sports, and I am pleased to see this momentum persist,” he stated.
Accompanied by esteemed guests, the event was moderated by Avneesh Kumar Singh, President of Uttar Pradesh Kreeda Bharati, alongside senior officials of Kreeda Bharati and TYC Director Geeta Singh. Avneesh Kumar Singh reiterated the organization’s commitment to delivering top-notch sports facilities and nurturing talent from the grassroots level. “Our aim is to discover and train athletes from rural areas, paving their path to the Olympics,” he stated.
The highlight of the day was a thrilling Kabaddi final between Haryana and KashiPrant, with Haryana claiming victory. Throughout the day, young athletes from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, and other states exhibited their skills in India’s ancient sports, including Mallakhamb. Wrestling and archery competitions captivated the audience, while traditional games like Kho-Kho, Kalaripayattu, and archery provided exhilarating entertainment. The Mallakhamb final is set for Sunday.
Enhancing the event's grandeur, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will attend on February 9, followed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on February 10 to support the athletes. In the upcoming days, various Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, sports legends, and political leaders are anticipated to participate, further amplifying the spirit of Khel Mahakumbh.
