Anurag Thakur, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, stated Sunday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will welcome the Paralympians upon their return to India.
Thakur thanked the Prime Minister for spending time with the athletes and said that he (PM) had hosted them when they arrived in India. Now he will host the Paralympians."
Modi, he said, had always had a vision of sports, including for those with special abilities.
The Minister spoke out about Suhas Y L, a Goutam Buddha Nagar district magistrate, winning a silver medal at the Paralympics Tokyo. Both medallists won a silver and a gold medal for us. My sincere congratulations go out to them.
He stated that the 2016 Paralympics contingent was only 19 and that the country has won 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympics 2021.
It is clear that India has achieved great things. Our medal count has increased about five-fold. This is an incredible achievement. Thakur expressed his gratitude to all athletes.
The Minister also asked all sports federations for big plans for the 2024 and 2028 Olympics to help India improve its position.
Thakur, who also holds responsibility for Information and Broadcasting, stated that all the sports federations must play an important role and that they have to work together to create a large project to improve India's position in 2024 and 2028.
Thakur will be participating in many events, including interaction with athletes.
He said that the public's perception of sports has changed since the government gave impetus to the athletics. This led to India's remarkable performance at the Olympics and Paralympics.
"The most important thing is the change in attitude towards sport. Thakur stated that the government providing all kinds of facilities, and the Prime Minister NarendraModi encouraging and speaking to sportspeople, has an impact on every part of society, be they individual, corporate or sports associations.
He recalled that people complimented him when he was on the flight and said that India had done well at the Olympics and Paralympics.
He stated that the response that cricket used to receive is now being seen for Olympics games.
India won seven medals at the Tokyo Olympics, including two golds and two silvers. In the Paralympics, India won 19 medals, including five golds and eight silvers.
