New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged off 'Run for Rio' here from Major Dhyanchand National Stadium. Addressing the flagging off ceremony to the Olympic bound Indian contingent, the Prime Minister said every player has worked hard to get here.
"Am sure our athletes will win the hearts of the world and will show the world what India is about," he said. 'The sports that we do not indulge in, youngsters can be trained to excel in such sports till the next Olympics,' Mr Modi said.
When the 2020 games take place, let every district affirm that one athlete from our district will represent India at those games. During our term in office so far, we have focused tremendously on sports," he said. Mr Modi said, "this time the country was sending its contingent well in advance, so that players get familiar with local conditions. Two years ago itself, the government started to study the reasons why Indian sports-persons were criticised for their under performance."
"This year we have allotted special funds to provide the players Indian food in Rio in order to give them utmost comfort," the Prime Minister said. "Indian official who goes with the contingent gets 100 dollars while the player gets only 50 dollars. To get rid of this practice the government has allotted equal allowances to both the players and the officials," he said.
Indian government has spent between 30 lakhs to 1.5 crore on each player. The government prepared a total budget of 125 crores. "On 15th August when we shall unfurl our Indian flag, I am sure that in Rio too we will get a chance to unfurl our Indian flag," Mr Modi said. (UNI)
