DIBRUGARH: In a significant display of support for women's sports, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal, visited the ongoing 'Khelo India Women’s Kickboxing League' in Dibrugarh, Assam. The Sunday visit saw the minister engaging with the participating athletes, extending his best wishes for their success, and delivering a speech to inspire the pursuit of both physical and mental fitness through sports.
Minister Sonowal acknowledged the favorable environment that exists for athletes in the country, crediting policy reforms that provided a platform for improved performance. He specifically highlighted the success of initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which has played a pivotal role in elevating Indian athletes to commendable performances on the global stage, including the Olympics, Asian Games, and World Championships.
Expressing pride in the current state of sports in India, Sonowal emphasized the remarkable achievements of athletes, asserting that their performances now stand at par with global standards. However, he noted the challenges of overcoming years of neglect that sports endured under successive Congress governments, which he claimed paid minimal to no attention to uplift or upgrade the sporting arena in the country.
Turning the spotlight onto women in sports, Sonowal underscored the tremendous potential of Nari Shakti (women power) and advocated for greater exposure across various fields, including sports. He commended the fact that girls from interior parts of India are now delivering world-class performances, bringing accolades to the nation. Speaking specifically about the Khelo India Women’s Kickboxing League, he expressed his satisfaction with the confidence displayed by the participants, noting their potential to contribute significantly to Prime Minister Modi's vision of empowering Nari Shakti as a formidable force in the nation-building process towards a new Bharat (India).
Minister Sarbananda Sonowal's visit to the Khelo India Women’s Kickboxing League served as a powerful endorsement of the transformative impact of sports and the rising prominence of women in Indian sports, aligning with the broader vision of empowering women as key contributors to the nation's progress.
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