Aizawl: Union minister of state for youth affairs and sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse on Tuesday said progress in sports is an important part of nation-building as India works towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.Khadse, who arrived in Mizoram on a three-day visit, reached Aizawl on Tuesday and went to Sports Authority of India centre at Mission Veng after landing at Lengpui Airport.At the centre, she met Mizoram sports minister Lalnghinglova Hmar, sports department officials and representatives of various sports organisations, who briefed her on their needs and concerns.Speaking to reporters, Khadse said the govt was making efforts to promote sports as part of nation-building under Viksit Bharat 2047 initiative. She said the govt had launched Yuva Connect to enable sports and education to go hand in hand, with programmes to promote sports being conducted in educational institutions.The Union minister said Mizoram was doing well in various sports disciplines and praised the state’s efforts to identify and nurture young talent.She said she would make efforts to promote the development of different sports disciplines. The need for further action and areas requiring support from the Union govt would also be assessed during her visits to Saitual and Kolasib districts and meetings with representatives of sports organisations, she said.Khadse said young people were central to the nation’s vision and that the govt was giving them priority. She said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken steps to promote sports in India since 2014, with several developments taking place under the Khelo India programme.She said efforts were being made through various initiatives to produce more successful athletes, including by identifying talented children in cities and remote areas, and that many had already benefited from such programmes.Khadse said women’s sporting talent was also being promoted, though much more remained to be done.Stressing the need for a systematic approach to sports, she said the govt was making efforts to provide athletes with greater support, including proper nutrition, and to build infrastructure required for the overall development of sports.According to her schedule, the Union minister will travel to Saitual district on Tuesday afternoon and visit Poovattar Sampark Setu headquarters. On Wednesday, she will travel from Saitual to Kolasib and visit Poovattar Sampark Setu headquarters there before returning on Sept 17.
