‘PM TURNED SPORTS INTO A MASS MOVEMENT’: SARBANANDA SONOWAL

New Delhi, Dec 26, 2025 : Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for transforming sports in India from a limited activity into a nationwide mass movement, while addressing participants at the Sansad Khel Mahotsav in Dibrugarh, Assam.

Speaking to athletes, students and local residents, Sonowal said the initiative reflects the Prime Minister’s broader vision of integrating fitness, discipline and youth empowerment into the country’s nation-building efforts.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given sports a central place in India’s development journey by turning fitness and athletic excellence into a people’s movement,” Sonowal said, urging youth to contribute towards building a healthy and sports-oriented India under the spirit of “Khelo India – Khelo Desh”.

The Union Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament from Dibrugarh, said the Sansad Khel Mahotsav has played a key role in strengthening grassroots sports by identifying young talent early and encouraging community participation. He said the initiative helps instil discipline, confidence and character among young people while strengthening community bonds.

Announcing constituency-level support for athletes, Sonowal said targeted incentives and institutional assistance would soon be provided to promising sportspersons from Dibrugarh to enhance their training and performance.

“Talented athletes from Dibrugarh will be given special incentives and support so they can compete at higher levels and bring laurels to Assam and the nation,” he said.

Referring to Good Governance Day, observed on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sonowal highlighted the wide-ranging reforms undertaken in the sports sector since 2014. He said India has witnessed unprecedented expansion of sports infrastructure, increased participation and systematic talent identification across the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

Citing flagship initiatives such as Khelo India, Fit India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Sonowal said these programmes have created structured pathways for athletes by providing world-class facilities, professional coaching and financial support.

He added that Assam has aligned itself with the national vision through initiatives such as Khel Mahotsav, which focuses on identifying talent from villages, tea garden areas and remote regions, and preparing them for national and international competitions. Sonowal noted that the development of indoor and outdoor stadium infrastructure in Dibrugarh has also boosted parental confidence in sports as a viable career option.

Several dignitaries attended the event, including Assam Minister Prashanta Phukan, Dibrugarh Municipal Corporation Mayor and Deputy Mayor Ujjal Phukan, Assam Petrochemicals Limited Chairman Bikul Deka, BJP district president Dulal Bora, Dibrugarh Development Authority Chairman Asim Hazarika, BVFCL Managing Director Pranjal Barman, Sri Sri Aniruddhadeva University Vice Chancellor Prof. Narendra Nath Sarma, Dibrugarh District Sports Association president Niranjan Saikia and secretary Kamakhya Saikia, Dibrugarh Deputy Commissioner Bikram Kairi, along with other officials and citizens.