Panaji: Union minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said that under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the sports in India are transformed in national movements.
Mandaviya was speaking during the opening ceremony of FIDE World Cup which is being held in Goa from October 31 till November 27.
Goa chief minister Dr Pramod Sawant, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, Goa Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar and others were present on the occasion.
Mandaviya said that the the union government’s initiatives like Khelo India, talks of a deep collaboration with the sports federations and it has ensured that the talent from smallest village to largest metro is finding place in the global stage.
“Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the sports in India are transformed in national movements,” he said.
The union minister said this is a new India, one that wins in the field (playfield) and also excels in the battlefield of the mind. “For us, sports are not merely competition they are culture and character,” he said.
Mandaviya said that hosting FIDE World Cup 2025 is a moment which is not just historic for Goa or India but it is a proud milestone for the entire world of the Chess. “India is hosting FIDE world cup after 23 years is a matter of immense honour,” he said.
The union minister recalled that this prestigious event was hosted in the year 2002.
He said that since then our grandmaster family has grown to 88 brilliant mind and counting. “It is more than just a number. It is about a journey. It is the journey that began on the land of chaturanga, the ancient birthplace of chess and has today positioned India as global chess powerhouse,” the minister said.
Mandaviya said that this is great pride that three of the Indian players are competing with the world players here for the world games.
“Our youth are not only participating at the highest level, they are reshaping the landscape of chess world,” he said.
The event that will be starting in North Goa on Saturday will have 206 of the world’s finest chess players from more than 80 countries competing for the glory.
The minister said that when an indian players sit across the chess board, they carry faith and hope of 1.4 billion Indians.
Mandaviya said that once chess was confined to few individuals but today it is being played in every school, every home and in the dream of every young mind.
“India is sending clear message to the world that we are not leading only in the field of technology and defence but also in the field of sports. This transformation is a result of vision, commitment and collective efforts of countless players, coaches and administrators who believed that India has potential,” he added.
