Should Players Aim for Olympic Medals, Asserts Haryana CM?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Players are encouraged to set Olympic goals.
- Haryana aims to be a leading sports hub.
- Financial assistance is provided to young athletes.
- Modern sports facilities are established statewide.
- Sports nurseries nurture talent from a young age.
Chandigarh, Sep 13 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Haryana, Nayab Singh Saini, emphasized on Saturday that athletes should aspire to clinch medals at the Olympics. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a vision for India to emerge as a sports superpower by the 2036 Olympic Games, and the state has commenced preparations towards this goal. The Chief Minister made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the Yonex-Sunrise Ashwani Gupta Memorial All India Sub-Junior Ranking Badminton Tournament -- 2025 in Panchkula, located nearby.
During the event, the Chief Minister officially opened the tournament and allocated Rs 11 lakh to the Sports Promotion Society of Panchkula from his discretionary fund. Welcoming 2,000 players to Haryana, CM Saini stated, “Winning and losing are integral to the game, but your enthusiasm and sportsmanship define exceptional players.”
He urged that players should aim beyond the Asian Junior Badminton Tournament, setting their sights on Olympic medals. Describing Haryana as a sports hub, the Chief Minister highlighted that athletes from the state have brought honor to both Haryana and the nation by winning medals in international competitions.
CM Saini recalled that about 11 years ago, a comprehensive sports vision was established in Haryana, promoting players under the slogan ‘Khele Haryana -- Badhe Haryana’, leading to the development of extensive sports infrastructure. The government has ensured modern sports facilities, including stadiums, indoor halls, and residential sports academies, are available in every district.
He mentioned the establishment of sports nurseries aimed at nurturing talent from a young age, which has earned Haryana the title of the ‘nursery of sports’. These nurseries provide financial support and professional training to emerging athletes.
Currently, 1,489 sports nurseries are operational across the state, training 37,225 players. In these nurseries, athletes aged 8 to 14 receive Rs 1,500 per month, while those aged 15 to 19 are given Rs 2,000 monthly.