Zirakpur, February 22: Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials of the Punjab government, the Union Territory of Chandigarh, and the Sports Authority of India Regional Center, Chandigarh, to discuss and strategize the development of sports infrastructure in the North Zone.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to strengthening India’s sports ecosystem, Dr. Mandaviya said, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, initiatives like Khelo India, FIT India, and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) are transforming India’s sports landscape. Our goal is to build a robust infrastructure that nurtures young talent and enables them to compete at the highest level.”
Dr. Mandaviya honored 30 outstanding athletes in disciplines like Kabaddi, Handball, Judo, Boxing, Kayaking, and Canoeing. These athletes have secured podium finishes in various national and international tournaments, including the recently concluded 38th National Games. They are currently undergoing rigorous training at six SAI Training Centers (STCs), two National Centers of Excellence (NCOEs), and two Extension Centers under SAI Regional Center Chandigarh.
Addressing the athletes, Dr. Mandaviya expressed confidence in their ability to take India’s global sports stature to new heights. “By 2047, when we celebrate 100 years of independence, I envision a nation where our athletes dominate the world stage, bringing glory to the tricolor with every performance.”
During his visit, Dr. Mandaviya also reviewed the existing sports facilities and assessed the availability of sports infrastructure for young athletes in the region. He also visited the SAI Regional Center Chandigarh, located in Nabha Sahib village, which is the largest regional center in North India. As the nodal center for the development of sports in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu-Kashmir, Chandigarh, and Ladakh, the Regional Center oversees sports development in the Union Territory and the neighboring states.
Currently, 152 Khelo India Centers, six Khelo India State Centers of Excellence, and 42 Khelo India Accredited Academies fall under the purview of the SAI Center, collectively providing training to over 2,400 aspiring athletes, both men and women.
