Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 20
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday encouraged Indian athletes to head to the Commonwealth Games that is scheduled to start in Birmingham from 28 July with an all-conquering attitude.
PM Modi, while interacting with a few athletes from the Indian contingent via video-conferencing, said, “Play with all your heart, play hard, play with full confidence and will play without any stress”.
The Prime Minister has made a habit of interacting with the Indian athletes before major tournaments. He had a similar interaction before the Tokyo Olympics as well. As has been the format, the PM spoke to the athletes at length about their family and other issues, including hardships early on in their careers.
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur and Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi were present during the interaction.
The PM asked steeplechase champion Avinash Sable about his family background, life while growing up in Maharashtra and his stint with the Indian Army when he was posted in Siachen. “I learned a lot from my four years in the Army. Discipline and training instilled in me has helped me do well so far,” Sable said.
Sable further informed that there are many similarities between his chosen athletics discipline and working for the Army as Army trains its people to cross hurdles just like in steeplechase.
Next up was the weightlifter Achanta Sheuli, who will represent India in the 73 kg category. Achanta disclosed that yoga has helped him to strike a balance between his life and sport. He also said that his mother and brother have sacrificed a lot to make him an Indian athlete.
In his brief interaction with doubles badminton player Treesa Jolly, the PM enquired reason for her to choose badminton over football, which was a more popular sport in Kerala. He also asked about her on field partnership with Gayathri Gopichand.
Before wishing the entire contingent again, the PM promised to host the team when they return after winning medals from the Commonwealth Games.
#narendra modi
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
