Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi calls for taking India to new sporting heights

National Sports Day is observed on the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.

"A thought struck me, that perhaps, wherever Major Dhyanchand ji’s soul must be at the moment, it must be feeling overjoyed…since it was Dhyanchand ji’s hockey that brought glory to Indian hockey in the whole world. And four decades later, almost after 41 years, the youth of India, her sons and daughters, once again infused vitality in our hockey," Modi said addressing his month radio programme.

"The Olympics have created a major impact. The events at the Olympics are over; the Paralympics are going on. Whatever our country earned in this world of Sports may be little in comparison with the world, but enough has happened to bolster our belief. Today, it is not that the youth is just watching sports…the youth is also looking at possibilities associated with Sports," Modi said.

"Taking advantage of this opportunity, we must garner expertise in a variety of sports. In villages as well, sports competitions should be held successively. It is only through competition that a sport evolves…progresses…giving rise to sports persons as an outcome. Come, let all us countrymen strive to further this momentum as much as we can…contributing whatever we can…let us transform the mantra of ‘Sabka Prayas’ into reality," the PM urged.

"We should move ahead on the path shown by Major Dhyanchand," the Prime Minister said, adding that the momentum should be sustained.

India won seven medals at the recent Tokyo Olympics, with Neeraj Chopra winning gold in Javelin Throw, India's first-ever track-and-field medal.

On Sunday, in her Paralympics debut, table tennis player Bhavina Patel won silver in the women's singles class 4, also taking home India's first medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.