PM Narendra Modi, Sachin Tendulkar hail sports momentum in India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to make the most of the momentum behind sports across the country, on the back of some great performances at international sporting fixtures.

In the recently concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympics, India won seven medals in the multi-sporting event, its best-ever performance. Medallists for the nation were Neeraj Chopra (gold), Bajrang Punia (bronze), Mirabai Chanu (silver), PV Sindhu (bronze), Lovlina Borgohain (bronze), men's hockey team (bronze), and Ravi Kumar Dahiya (silver).

In the ongoing Paralympics in Tokyo, table tennis player Bhavina Patel opened the table tally of India as she bagged silver on Sunday. Following that shooter Avani Lekhara earned the title of first women to win Gold Medal in Indian Paralympics.

Modi gave an inspiring speech on his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat': "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."

And, on the occasion of National Sports Day marked on August 29, legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar also urged everyone to make playing a habit as sports brings hope and joy in the "most challenging circumstances".
India celebrates National Sports Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand. Tendulkar shared a video in which he can be seen playing cricket along with the kids.

"Sport brings hope and joy even in the most challenging circumstances. This #NationalSportsDay, make playing a habit. Keep ourselves and those around us happy," Tendulkar tweeted.

PM Modi also stated that the passion for sports in the country's youth at the present times is the greatest tribute to Major Dhyan Chand. Dhyan Chand was a legendary hockey player known for his magical hockey skills. He was part of the Indian hockey team that struck gold in the 1928, 1932, and 1936.

(ANI)