Due to the wrong policies of Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, Punjab is in the grip of drugs, sports play an important role in drug eradication: Anurag Thakur

06 May 2023, Jalandhar: 

Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth and Sports Affairs Shri Anurag Singh Thakur addressed a huge gathering of people associated with sports industry in Jalandhar today. Shri Anurag Thakur thanked the sports industry of Punjab for their full support and immense cooperation to the BJP.

Mr. Thakur said, “Punjab's sports industry is famous all over the country as well as the world. Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is committed to further expand and encourage this industry. It is a matter of great pleasure that all the stakeholders associated with Jalandhar sports industry have reposed faith in the policies of BJP and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and have resolved to bloom Lotus in this upcoming Lok Sabha by-election.

The Union Minister said, "Today, Punjab is in the grip of drugs due to the wrong policies of the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party. These people have neither cracked down on the drug mafia nor taken any step to promote sports in the state. Both the parties have not only cheated the youth but also played with their future. He said, "Sports can play an important role in getting Punjab away from drugs. Sports unites the country and also shows its 'soft power'. Soft power means the ability of a country through which it can get cooperation from other countries according to its interests without using any force."

Shri Thakur said, “Ever since 2014, when the country's command came into the hands of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he has started many revolutionary changes realizing the role of youth power in the development of the country. Schemes like Khelo India, Fit India, Sports University, TOPS show a 360° change towards sports in India. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the central government continued to provide training and other facilities to the players and as a result, the country has won seven medals in Olympic Games, 19 medals in the Paralympics and 16 in the Deaflympics. Also, our sportspersons have put their mark on the world map by winning the Thomas Cup.”

Mr. Thakur further said, "This time the sports budget of the country is around Rs. 2500 crores. Before 2014, the budget of the Sports Department used to remain around Rs. 850 crores. The budget has increased almost three times. The central government is now creating sports facilities up to the district level and local level. Till now sports infrastructure has been created for lakhs of youth in hundreds of districts of the country. A National Sports University has also been set up. It is our endeavor to create an environment for our youth so that they can learn every aspect related to sports management and sports technology. It will give our youth the opportunity to make a career in Sports too."