Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, delivered the keynote address at a discussion on India's preparations for the Paris Olympics 2024 and Paralympics, organized by the Delhi Sports Journalist Association in New Delhi today.
During the meeting, Dr. Mandaviya unveiled the "Pathway to Paris" brochure, detailing India's Olympic journey, current preparations, and the talented athletes set to represent the country in the Paris Olympics 2024.
Looking ahead to 2047, Dr. Mandaviya expressed confidence that India will be among the top five nations in sports excellence. He highlighted the country's vast potential and stressed that with the right opportunities and effort, significant results would follow.
The Minister announced that India is sending a contingent of 117 athletes to compete across 16 disciplines in the Paris Olympics 2024, with over ₹470 Crore spent on preparations for these events.
“Our nation is rich in diversity,” Dr. Mandaviya said. “It is imperative that we identify and nurture young talent, integrating them into the sports ecosystem. By encouraging their participation in competitions and providing platforms for their talents to shine on national and international stages, we will see remarkable progress,” he added.
Addressing media professionals, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the importance of discussions and deliberations for informed decision-making by the government. He reminded them of their influential role in shaping public perception and urged them to uphold the nation's honour and respect, always keeping 'Nation First' in mind.
Dr. Mandaviya also underscored the importance of supporting athletes participating in the Paris Olympics and extended gratitude to the Delhi Sports Journalists Association for their integral role in the event. He acknowledged their crucial involvement in showcasing the hard work and dedication behind India's sporting achievements.
The event was graced by notable sports personalities, including Olympic bronze medallist and Hockey World Cup-winning team member Sh. Ashok Dhyanchand, Asian Games gold medallist and former World No. 1 double trap shooter Sh. Ronjan Sodhi, Commonwealth Games gold-winning boxer Sh. Akhil Kumar, Asian Games gold medallist archer Sh. Abhishek Verma, two-time Paralympics javelin throw champion Sh. Devendra Jhajharia, and Tokyo Paralympics silver medallist Sh. Yogesh Kathuniya. Senior officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Sports Authority of India were also present.