Chandigarh, September 13 - Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Naib Singh Saini said that the aim of the players should be to win medals in the Olympic Games. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has set a target of establishing India as a sports superpower in the 2036 Olympic Games. The state government has already started preparations for the Olympic Games.
The Chief Minister was addressing the players from across the country at the inauguration program of the Yonex-Sunrise Ashwini Gupta Meteorial All India Sub-Junior Ranking Badminton Tournament 2025 in Panchkula today. On this occasion, the Chief Minister declared the start of the badminton tournament and announced to give Rs. 11 lakh to the Sports Promotion Society Panchkula from his wish fund.
Former Chairman of Haryana Legislative Assembly and Chairman of Sports Promotion Society Panchkula Mr. Gianchand Gupta, Director General of Anti-Corruption Bureau Mr. Alok Mittal, Commissioner and Secretary of Finance Department Mr. Mohammad Shine, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Satpal Sharma, Joint Secretary of Haryana Badminton Association Mr. Jitendra Mahajan, Vice President of Badminton Association of India Mr. Ajay Kumar Singhania, President of Panchkula Sports Promotion Society Mr. DP Soni were also present on this occasion.
Chief Minister Mr. Naib Singh Saini, while welcoming about 2000 participating players from different states to Haryana, said that victory and defeat are part of the game but your courage and sportsmanship will make you a great player. Also remember that your destination is not just the Asian Junior Badminton Tournament but should be to win medals for India in the Olympics.
Describing Haryana as a sports hub, he said that Haryana's players have brought glory to the country and the state by winning medals in international level competitions. The Chief Minister said that 11 years ago, a vision for sports was developed in Haryana, according to which the players have been encouraged and the sports infrastructure has been developed with the mantra of "We played Haryana, Haryana has grown".
He said that the state government has opened sports nurseries for the players since childhood. Haryana is also called the nursery of sports. At present, 1489 sports nurseries are functioning in the state. 37 thousand 225 players are undergoing training in these. Players between the ages of 8 to 14 registered in these nurseries are given Rs 1500 and players between the ages of 15 to 19 are given Rs 2000 every month.
Referring to the achievements of Haryana players, he said that be it the Olympic Games or the Asian Games, Haryana players have to hoist the tricolour high on every front. Out of the 6 medals won by the state players in the Paris Olympics 2024, 5 were won by Haryana players. We also had an excellent performance in the Asian Games.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has framed the Haryana Excellent Players Service Rules 2021 to ensure secure employment for excellent players. Under this, 550 new posts were created in the Sports Department. Apart from this, 224 players who performed excellently at the international level have been given government jobs. Reservation has been provided for direct recruitment of posts from Class I to Class III for players.
Shri Naib Singh Saini congratulated and congratulated all the badminton players and said that badminton is a game that not only enhances physical skills and technical expertise but also symbolizes mental strength, discipline and sacrifice. On this occasion, the Chief Minister encouraged the players by playing badminton.
He said that this game has been popular in India for the last few years. The credit for this goes to our players who have made India's name shine on the global stage. These include players like Prakash Padukone, Pullela Gopichand, Saina Nehwal, P.V. Sandhu and Lakshman.
The Chief Minister appealed to all the players to play as a team. Help each other, learn from each other. Your unity is your biggest strength.
Speaking on the occasion, former Speaker of Haryana Vidhan Sabha and Chairman of Sports Promotion Society Panchkula, Mr. Gianchand Gupta said that Sports Promotion Society Panchkula was formed 15 years ago to encourage the youth towards sports and keep them away from drugs. Apart from this, to encourage the players, the players who win medals are also honored.