Two years ago, Narendra Modi had famously shunned the bullet-proof enclosure from behind which Indian prime ministers have usually delivered the annual Independence Day speech at New Delhi’s Red Fort.
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Modi outlined the measures that the government had taken for the welfare of Indians who had qualified for Rio. “This time 119 players are going, we resolve to send over 200 players to Tokyo in 2020 today” PM said before flagging off “Run for Rio” event at Major Dhyanchand National stadium in Delhi. “I hope they will make us proud and hoist the flag of our country even higher”, Modi said during his short address to runners at the event.
The Prime Minister said that every player has worked hard to get here and will surely give their best. “He is also enormously grateful to Prime Minister Modi for his work on that”, Schultz said. “When the 2020 games take place, let every district affirm that one athlete from our district will represent India at those games”. “This time we are sending the contingent in advance, so that players are familiar with local conditions”, he said.
He also stated that the government had allotted equal allowances to both the players and the officials, say reports.
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On this occasion, the Prime Minister will also release a publication of the Sports Authority of India on Indian Olympics Journey, which will carry interesting information on country’s Olympics achievements and preparations for the future. For this, he outlined the necessity of training youngsters in sports that Indians do not usually play. This year the Olympics are held at Brazil, where the game will start from August 5. He tweeted, “I invite everyone to come join us in wishing our Indian Team & participate in #RunforRio on 31st July at 7:00 am”.
