Did Amit Shah Inaugurate the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex?

New Delhi, Sep 15 (NationPress) Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah officially opened the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Narangpura, Ahmedabad, on Sunday. This cutting-edge facility, constructed at a cost of Rs 825 crore, was dedicated to the nation as part of initiatives aimed at enhancing world-class sports infrastructure in Gujarat and realizing the vision of hosting the 2036 Olympics.

The inaugural event was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel, Minister of State for Sports Harsh Sanghavi, Mayor Pratibha Jain, along with various MPs, MLAs, officials, athletes, coaches, and sports representatives.

During his address, Amit Shah remarked that sports embody the “soul of India” and stressed that, given the nation's youthful demographics, it must strive for excellence in athletics. He pointed out reforms made over the past decade under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including the establishment of modern infrastructure, enhanced training programs, transparent selection processes, and increased opportunities for athletes to compete internationally.

The Home Minister recalled Veer Savarkar’s legacy, mentioning that the revolutionary was a skilled swimmer who once jumped from a steamboat to evade British captivity. He stated that naming the facility after Savarkar commemorates his bravery and sacrifices, inspiring athletes to earn medals for India.

He also highlighted Ahmedabad's growing status as a sports hub, with major venues like the Narendra Modi Stadium, the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, and now the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex. Shah observed that the sports budget has increased from Rs 1,643 crore a decade ago to Rs 5,300 crore, with initiatives like Khelo India expanding opportunities for athletes. The new National Sports Policy is based on five pillars, including mass participation and global competitiveness.

According to Shah, India has made remarkable progress in international competitions. From 1947 to 2012, the country secured 20 Olympic medals, while in the last eight years, 15 medals were achieved. In the Paralympics, the medal tally surged from 8 to 52, and in the Deaflympics, it rose from 2 to 22. He announced that Ahmedabad would host international competitions for police and fire personnel in 2029, with the 2030 Commonwealth Games approval anticipated soon, reaffirming the government’s promise to bring the 2036 Olympics to the city.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed gratitude for the project’s approval, describing it as a “new era” for sports in Gujarat. He revealed that the state’s sports budget now totals Rs 486 crore, with 23 operational complexes across 21 districts. Patel highlighted upcoming projects such as the 233-acre Sardar Patel Sports Enclave and a Para Athlete High-Performance Center, affirming Gujarat’s preparedness for major global tournaments.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya celebrated the inauguration of the nation’s largest sports complex as a significant milestone, emphasizing its role in fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat.” Minister of State Harsh Sanghavi mentioned that the complex has already hosted the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship and will soon hold the Asian Aquatics Competition.

Equipped with an Aquatics Stadium, a Sports Center of Excellence, an Indoor Multi-Sports Arena, Outdoor Courts, a Community Sports Center, and a Fit India Zone, the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex provides training, coaching, fitness, and yoga opportunities for both athletes and citizens.