PM Modi applauds history-makers at 19th Asian Games

“I AM proud that our Nari Shakti did very well. It tells about the capability of the daughters of India,” said an elated Prime Minister Narendra Modi while interacting with the Asian Games contingent, which returned with a record haul of 107 medals from the Hangzhou edition of the Games.

Lauding the athletes for a spectacular performance, PM Modi said, “You have created history…I welcome all of you on behalf of 140-crore Indians. At the felicitation event held at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium on October 10, the PM told the participants, “Because of your hard work and achievements, there is an atmosphere of celebration across the country. PM Modi also remarked that India never had a dearth of talent, “but due to several obstacles, our athletes weren’t able to convert it into medals.”

Augurs well for future

India’s 107-medal haul is by far the best in any multi-disciplinary event and augurs well for the country in the run-up to the Paris Olympics next year. The 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze ensured India stood at the fourth spot in the 19th Asian Games.

A glance at the medal winners shows that the bulk of the medals came from track-and-field and shooting events. The performance in track-and-field – accounting for 29 medals – showed India’s emergence as a world power on this sport.

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But the fact that India has come up with the best-ever performance should not come as much of surprise as things have improved drastically for the sportspersons in the country.

The frequent foreign exposure trips, which have increased many fold since 2014, is a major factor. Unlike before, Indian athletes cutting across all sports are sent to at least eight or nine international competitions round the year. It helps them immensely as they get to compete with the best in the world on a regular basis.

TOPS a major factor

The Government’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is another major factor for the improved performance. Under this scheme, which was launched in September 2014, the training, travelling and all other requirements of the top athletes are looked after by the Government. Also, the shortlisted athletes are given a fixed sum by the Government annually. The fact that more and more athletes have been added to this scheme manifests the importance the Government attaches to sports.

The mushrooming of private sports training centres has also helped sportspersons in the country. Some of these centres are comparable to the best in the world in terms of the equipment they have and the kind of training they provide. Most of the medal-winning athletes in various disciplines are trained at these centres.