Sports Minister Anurag Thakur with Neeraj Chopra
India’s success in the Tokyo Olympic Games reflects the new India’s desire to dominate the world, even the Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag ThakurHe said while felicitating the medal winners who brought laurels to the nation at a function here on Monday.
Thakur said, “Team India’s success in Olympics is a reflection of how New India wants and desires to dominate the world… even in sports. Olympic Games showed us that self. With discipline and dedication we can become champions,” Thakur said. Celebrations organized by the ministry at Ashoka Hotel here to celebrate India’s success in the Tokyo Olympics that concluded on Sunday.
“Team India excelled and inspired while Indians celebrated all around. In fact, sport is a great integrator as our athletes come from villages and cities, north to south, east to west. Their journey is characterized by resilience and sporting excellence. has an unbelievable story,” the minister said.
Among those honored at the event on Monday were Neeraj Chopra, the first Indian to win a gold medal in athletics and the second from the country to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics, both wrestlers Ravi Kumar Dahiya and Mirabai Chanu. Out of which silver medalist, and bronze medalist PV Sindhu (badminton), Bajrang Punia (wrestling), boxer Lovlina Borgohain and members of the men’s hockey team.
Union Law and Justice Minister was also present in the function organized at Ashoka Hotel. Kiren Rijiju and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Nisith Pramanik.
Gold medalist Chopra, silver medalist Dahiya, bronze medalist Punia, Lovlina and the hockey team returned home on Monday after a long flight to attend the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Sunday night.
The Sports Minister further said that there were many firsts for India in Tokyo. “A 128-member Indian contingent, seven Olympic medals, our first Olympic gold medal in athletics, two medals in consecutive Olympic Games by PV Sindhu, medals won by the Indian men’s team after a gap of 41 years in hockey (bronze) and women’s hockey A historic entry by the team into the semi-finals,” he added.
“We also had India’s first female sailor to qualify for the Olympics – Nethra Kumanan, India’s first Indian fencer to make it to the Olympics – Bhavani Devi, the best place ever achieved by an Indian in an equestrian event – Fouad Mirza, Indian The best finish ever for the rovers, the highest finish by an Indian in golf by Aditi Ashok and a national record in steeplechase by Avinash Sable,” he said, listing the Indian contingent’s major achievements.
“And let me add, the foundation of sports in India is firm; various schemes like TOPS and Khelo India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have shown results to ensure podium finishes. We will continue to support our sportspersons and we will make India proud. Will try to build a sports powerhouse,” the minister confirmed.
Former Sports Minister Rijiju praised the performance of the athletes and reiterated that India will become a force to be reckoned with by the 2028 Olympics. Rijiju said, “I am thrilled beyond words to share this space with our champion athletes today. It is a historic event in which India has registered its best ever performance in the Olympics.”
“We have a lot to be proud of; we have a hockey medal after 41 years and our first gold in athletics. And it’s not just our medal winners, every athlete has done their best in Tokyo and I wish them all the best.” Congratulations. This is just the beginning as India’s resurgence in sport is now visible and I am confident that India will become a force to be reckoned with by the 2028 Olympics.”
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