Text of Speech of Sarbanand Sonowal

Following the text of speech of Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Sarbanand Sonowal on the occasion to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of India’s Hockey Gold at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and also to honour Para Athletes at the Second Para Asian Games at Incheon 2014.

“It gives me immense pleasure to stand in front of the august gathering of stars, who not only made India proud with their performance on the field, but also proved to be role models off the field. Today is a day of double happiness, as we celebrate the Golden Jubilee of India’s Hockey Gold at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and also honour Para Athletes, who did our country proud at the Second Para Asian Games at Incheon 2014. It was a great exhibition of athleticism put up by our Para Athletes by getting the 15th place and winning a total of 33 Medals including 03 Gold, 14 Silver and 16 Bronze thereby improving the previous Asian games record of 14 Medals including 01 Gold, 04 Silver and 09 Bronze. They proved that hard work and perseverance can overcame shortcomings and lead to significant achievements which can inspire many others.

There could not have been a better setting than the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium to celebrate the triumph of the sporting Stars. This is a venue, which has given India moments of glory in the past and I am certain, that the Hockey greats, sitting amidst us, would also be getting nostalgic with their past memories.

This was arguably the last batch of India’s golden generation of Hockey Stars who regained the Olympic Gold from Pakistan in Japan’s capital and their presence here, should be an inspiration to all of us. I also pay my homage to those stars from the team who are no longer with us.

There was a time when exploits in hockey brought recognition to our country in the international arena. Luckily, Indian Hockey is once again witnessing resurgence. The men’s Team has just won the Asian Games Gold for the first time in 16 years after winning the Silver at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Even the Junior and Women Teams are coming up with impressive performances on the international stage and the Government is determined to provide all necessary support to bring back the golden era.

I am sure that the current Stars will take some tips from these legends on how to be the best at the highest level. While these Legends are an inspiration to all of us, there is this group of youngsters, who overcame physical limitations and went on to concur the impossible in life and win medals at the Para Asian Games.

The Incheon Games provided a stiff competition to the Indian Athletes. The small contingent of 87 Indian Athletes produced 33 medals in the Asian Para Games 2014 as compared to 14 medals by a larger contingent of 101 Athletes in the Asian Para Games 2010.

Many of Indian Para Athletes won multiple medals. Sharath Gayakwad won 06 medals in Aquatics, while Ankur Dharma and Prashant Karmakar won 03 medals each in Athletics and Aquatics respectively. Parmar Parul Dalsukhbai, Amit Kumar, Sandeep Singh Maan, Raj Kumar, Karamjyothi, Swapnil Sanjay and Niranjan Mukundan won 02 medals each.

There were 16 women in the contingent. They contributed 6 medals to the tally. Parul D Parmar made history by winning the first Gold in Women’s Singles for Badminton in Asian Para Games.

I assure that the Government of India will not leave any stone unturned to support Indian Para Athletes in their training and exposure trips as they prepare for 2016 Paralympics.

I also take this opportunity to appeal to all the stake- holders to give equal emphasis to para sports and create a system that will enable these Athletes to give their best on the sports field.

I am extremely pleased that this felicitation function is acknowledging the achievements of two groups, separated by years but united by the will to give their best for the country under all circumstances.

India has the potential to be amongst the world super powers in sports over the next decade and we are taking concrete steps to translate this dream into reality. I once again take this opportunity to congratulate all the Medal Winners of Para Asian Games and bow my head to the Legends of India’s Hockey.

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