A country with 65 percent of youth population is generally expected to perform well at sporting events. And this year India is looking prepared with more than hundred athletes who have qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.

The Olympics commence from the  23rd July kicking off  16 days of  high intensity competition among  the best from different countries.

Generating the vigor for sports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “Sports create a spirit of sportsmanship which is important both on and off the field. And that is why I often say- Jo khele, wo khile.” (He who plays blooms)

Despite the spreading of virus and country in lockdown, the Indian government had facilitated the athletes with proper equipments, coaching and leaving no stones unturned to prepare them for an international level event.

Consistency is the key

The Indian athletes have pulled up their socks to demonstrate their strength at the Tokyo Olympics with eyes set on the gold.

 Saurabh Kumar from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, from a village bought  his first pistol after taking a loan,  now gets a chance to represent India at the Tokyo Olympics. His coach Amit Sheoran said that Saurabh used to practice under a tin shed even at the height of summer. This chance is the result of his consistency.

Similarly, Indian javelin champion Neeraj Chopra had never dreamt of actually participating  in the Olympics.  Neeraj won his first international gold medal at the 2016 South Asian Games, his second gold at the under-20 IAAF World Championship held in 2016.

52 Female Athletes this year

“Chori humari Choro se kam hai ke”– Putting these words from the movie Dangal into action, the women are also equally championing India’s Olympics aspirations.

16 year old  Manu Bhaker became the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup and will now be wearing the Indian jersey at the Tokyo Olympics. There are a total of 52 female athletes participating this year.

Getting the Gold

Many talented sport enthusiasts tend to miss opportunities due to lack of facilities and finance. The  Indian Government through various programmes and schemes has continuously been trying to bridge the gap. Target Olympic Podium Scheme ( TOPS ) is such a scheme where the athletes are provided with coaches and the cost of equipment, fitness trainers and other requirements by the ministry of sports. An allowance of 50,000 is also given every month to every athlete included in TOPS. This year the scheme included 160 top athletes for Tokyo Olympics.

Khelo India, another scheme of the government,  has been active from 2014 and offers scholarships to athletes. In the last three years more than  rupees 44 crore has been spent on 32 top-level athletes.

There are several other schemes that has been active in bringing out world-class talent and nurturing them on their way to excellence.

The Prime Minister has urged all the people of India to encourage and cheer on our Olympic contingent.

Content Writer: Nishant Mishra

  NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister Modi, Tokyo Olympics