Bengaluru, Sep 5 (FN Agency) Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday said that he plans to make a big scheme with sports federations to better the previous performances in 2024 and 2028 Olympics. “As a minister, all sports are important for me. Definitely, the onus is on the sports federation, and we will sit together to chart out a very big scheme and work in the direction of previous performances in 2024 and 2028 Olympics,” Thakur told reporters at Kempegowda International Airport here. He congratulated Krishna Nagar and Suhas Yathiraj on winning gold and silver respectively at the Tokyo Paralympics to close the Indian campaign at Games on an all-time high of 19 medals. Thakur said people’s thinking is changing towards the Olympics because of the superlative performances put up by the athletes, which was possible because of all kinds of facilities provided by the central government.
“Talking about the change in the thinking of the people towards Olympic atheletes. Earlier, a lot of attention was given to cricket, but now due to good performances by our athletes, much focus also is on Olympians,” he said. “While in the flight, many people came and were congratulating me. They have done exceedingly well in this year’s Olympics and Paralympics. This is because of the central government providing all facilities to the sportspersons,” Thakur said. “The thinking of the various stakeholders – federations, people and educational institutions – also changes when the Prime Minister himself interacts with sportspersons. It also boosts their morale,” he added. Thakur also congratulated Krishna Nagar and Suhas Yathiraj on winning gold and silver respectively at the Tokyo Paralympics and expressed happiness that India registered an all-time high of 19 medals at the Games. “My congratulations for both the medallists, who won gold and silver.
In 2016, we sent a 19-member team. In 2021, we won 19 Paralympic medals. It shows India’s improved performance. Our medal tally has increased five times. It is a big achievement, a big congratulations to all the athletes,” he said. Till 2016 Rio Olympics, India had won 12 medals in total. Now, at one Games, that is Tokyo Paralympics 2020, India has improved its medals tally by seven more medals. India sent its highest-ever contingent of 54 para-athletes across as many as nine sporting disciplines at the Games. Badminton and Taekwondo made their debut in Tokyo, both of which were represented by India. Programmes at the elite and grassroots level have helped the central government to provide facilities to players and athletes, Thakur said. “PM Modi had special focus on sports even when he was the Gujarat Chief Minister. When he became PM, he started TOPS and Khelo India programmes. These programmes have helped the government to provide facilities to players and athletes,” he added.