Anurag Thakur Gifts Rs 13 Crore Sports Development Projects to NSNIS Patiala on National Sports Day Eve

**Patiala, August 29**: On the eve of National Sports Day, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports as well as Information & Broadcasting, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, embarked on a visit to Punjab. During his tour, Shri Thakur bestowed a gift of sports development initiatives amounting to Rs 13 crore upon the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) located in Patiala. The projects were inaugurated with the aim of fostering sports growth and excellence in the region. Additionally, Shri Thakur engaged with athletes set to participate in the upcoming Asian Games 2023.

Commencing his day in Chandigarh, the Union Minister commenced by distributing appointment letters to young individuals during a job fair. He then proceeded to NSNIS Patiala where he inaugurated various sports development ventures, all funded at a total of Rs 13 crore. The investment signifies the government’s commitment to enhancing the sporting infrastructure and opportunities in the country.

Praising the strides made in sports under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Thakur affirmed, “Over the past year, NSNIS Patiala has witnessed substantial financial allocation for sports development. Today, we inaugurate development projects worth 13 crores. Moreover, projects worth 36 crores are currently in progress, and an additional 24 crores are slated for future allocation.” The newly inaugurated facilities include a dedicated training center, a spacious weightlifting hall, revamped guest houses, upgraded accommodation for foreign coaches, and refurbished youth hostel rooms. Shri Thakur highlighted the extensive changes and upgrades that have transformed NSNIS Patiala’s overall appearance and functionality.

Reflecting on the improvements in athletes’ facilities, Shri Thakur added, “In the past, there were concerns about food quality in training camps. Today, we have top-notch chefs who provide highly nutritious meals to our players.” Post-event, Shri Thakur took the opportunity to interact with athletes and coaches, addressing their readiness for the forthcoming Asian Games. Encouraging them, he expressed confidence in India’s prospective success in the medal tally at the Asian Games, citing the nation’s commendable performance in various sports on the global stage.

Anticipating a remarkable showing by Indian athletes in the upcoming Asian Games, Shri Thakur remarked, “India’s performance in sports has been consistently outstanding in recent years. Our athletes have consistently brought glory to the nation on the international arena. I am fully confident that India will achieve remarkable success in the medal tally at the forthcoming Asian Games as well.”

As the nation gears up to celebrate National Sports Day, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur’s visit and dedication to sports development underline the government’s commitment to nurturing and elevating India’s sports landscape.