*CM Arvind Kejriwal felicitates Delhi's Asian Games medal winning athletes, CM says, “Government will provide complete assistance to athletes”
*There is no shortage of talent in our country, all governments need to work together to nurture them: CM Arvind Kejriwal
*We have formulated best policies in country to nurture talented athletes, now we will further improve them: CM Arvind Kejriwal
*After winning medals, whole world comes forward to honor athlete, but no one helps during struggle: Arvind Kejriwal
*Our government provides financial assistance to struggling athletes under ‘Play and Progress’ and ‘Mission Excellence’ schemes: CM Arvind Kejriwal
*Delhi government incentivizes athletes who win medals in competitions like Olympics and Asian Games to boost morale: CM Arvind Kejriwal
*172 children are being prepared for 10 Olympic sports at Delhi Sports School, and they will also be awarded degrees in sports: CM Arvind Kejriwal
*Appeal to athletes across country, join Sports University and help nurture talented children: CM Arvind Kejriwal
*In past 9 years, Kejriwal government has introduced several schemes, including ‘Mission Excellence’, to nurture athlete talent: Atishi
*Whenever our athletes need any kind of support, Kejriwal government will always assist them: Atishi
*Athletes thanked CM Arvind Kejriwal for supporting them with world-class infrastructure and financial assistance
NEW DELHI: 6th March 2024-In a gesture of recognition and support, CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal honored 11 athletes and 3 coaches from Delhi who achieved remarkable success at the Asian Games 2022. During a ceremony held on Wednesday, CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal presented cash incentives amounting to ₹1 crore for gold medalists, ₹75 lakhs for silver, and ₹50 lakhs for bronze medalists under the cash incentive scheme. Emphasizing the government's commitment to athlete welfare, the CM reiterated the resolve to provide unwavering support at all levels. Highlighting Delhi's pioneering sports policy, he pledged further enhancements to foster talent development. Recognizing the challenges faced by athletes during their journey, he asserted the government's provision of financial aid through schemes like ‘Play and Progress’ and ‘Mission Excellence’. Additionally, CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal urged athletes nationwide to engage with Delhi Sports University to contribute towards nurturing budding talents. The ceremony witnessed the presence of Sports Minister Aatishi, MLA Dilip Pandey, and other dignitaries, reaffirming the government's dedication to promoting sports excellence.
Delhi's CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal started his address with a congratulatory message to the athletes for bringing laurels to India. “I know many of you personally. You bring glory to Delhi and the country year after year. We're proud of you and the whole country is really proud of you. I congratulate the coaches too for honing the skills of the athletes.”
“As Ms. Atishi said, when you win a medal there, even if we may be fighting among ourselves within the country, but when you keep the tricolour flying high there and the national anthem is played in front of the whole world, this unites the entire nation. We forget all our differences and feel that our boys and girls have made the country proud. Keep moving forward in the same way, our wishes are with you,” the Delhi CM mentioned.
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal expressed, “I understand that you all have struggled a lot, this achievement cannot be attained so easily. You all have struggled a lot, you all have sacrificed, you have endured hardships, and then you have achieved this. We try everything possible to support you as much as we can in your struggle.”
“I always say that our country of 140 crore people is rich in talent and there is no shortage of talent in our country. When we stop at a traffic signal and often see poor children begging, who, to get alms, display their gymnastic skills. You won't find such flexibility even in professional gymnasts. So, if those poor kids are given the right opportunity, they may even surpass the world's top gymnasts,” the CM added.
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal further added that in our country, in every neighbourhood, village and city, there is immense talent, struggling without opportunities and support. It was the responsibility of governments to provide these opportunities and facilities, but the deficiency persisted in various governments. “I'm not blaming any one government; we all need to work together. When our government was formed, our endeavour was to uplift and support emerging talents as much as possible. Upon searching, we found that many states in our country have excellent policies. So, we diligently gathered policies from all around and strived to create the best policy in the country,” he added.
The Delhi CM shared, “At that time, when we formulated the policy, it was the country's best policy, but I have been informed that in the past two to three years, some improvements have been made in some states as well. We will also incorporate those changes made by some states, and once again, our policy in Delhi will be the best in the country. Learning from the changes others have made, we will implement them in other states as well. Another goal of ours is to create infrastructure in India. As some athletes have pointed out, we have also made significant efforts to improve them. We have made efforts to create infrastructure.”
“The most important thing is that when an athlete is struggling, no one helps them, but when they win and bring home a gold medal, the whole world gathers around to take photos with them and to award them. But when they are struggling, no one supports them. If they get a little support during that time, they can make significant progress. We learn from other countries; for example, in China, they say that from childhood, an athlete is identified, nurtured, and groomed,” the Delhi CM said.
CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal mentioned, “We have taken some steps in this direction for India. Firstly, we have introduced the ‘Play and Progress’ scheme, under which, if a child shows talent in India up to the age of 17, we provide them with an annual amount of ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakhs to develop their talent. This allows them to afford coaching, improve their diet, and purchase necessary equipment. In this ‘Play and Progress’ initiative, from 2018 to 2022, within four years, we have assisted 1,500 children with a total sum of ₹32 crores.”
Shri Arvind Kejriwal said in addition, we have our ‘Mission Excellence’ program, under which we provide ₹16 lakhs to individuals who show talent above the national and international levels to prepare themselves through coaching, diet, and purchasing Indian goods. In the past four years, we have assisted 400 athletes with a total of ₹25 crores. “Besides these, for those who excel in the Olympics, Asian Games, and National/International Games, we provide cash awards, under the ‘Cash Incentive Scheme’. Gold medalists in the Olympics receive ₹3 crores, silver medalists receive ₹2 crores and bronze medalists receive ₹1 crore. Gold medalists in the Asian Games receive ₹1 crore, silver medalists receive ₹75 lakhs and bronze medalists receive ₹50 lakhs. Coaches are also encouraged through these incentives,” the CM added.
The Chief Minister stated, “We introduced the Sports University a few years back, which is still under process and the construction is yet to begin. We have inaugurated a Delhi Sports School in line with this and 15,000 students applied for admission in that school in the last year. Rigorous competitions were conducted, and 172 students were selected for admission from those 15000 applicants. These students are from 6th to 9th standards. We have selected these 172 students and we’re giving them professional training.”
The Chief Minister also talked to the students and coaches at the school. He said, “I talked to the students and the coaches, and their enthusiasm made me feel proud and happy. I felt that Delhi would excel on International Sports platforms in the coming years. These 172 students are being trained for 10 Olympic games, which include Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, Swimming, Shooting, Weightlifting, and Wrestling. They are provided with the best facilities, and equipment to prepare for the games. Best coaches have been hired to train them.”
“They work hard and get trained for their sports throughout the day. We also ensure that these students do not miss out on education. We have enrolled them in 6th to 9th classes and they are simultaneously getting taught for their courses. This school is affiliated with the Delhi Board of Secondary Education”, he added.
“In the future, when they pursue higher education, they will get a BA degree from the Sports department. If at all, some students are not able to pursue sports for some reason, they’ll be able to continue their education with a BA degree, just like any other BA, or B.Com Degrees. These students will have bachelor's degrees in Cricket and Badminton, and it would be the same as any other degree.”
In this Sports School, sports is education. The students can play and train all day long. He added, “I believe that a student who starts training from 6th standard onwards, would be able to do wonders. I saw this enthusiasm in the students and the coaches I talked to, their only goal is to get a gold medal in the Olympics. Their mission is clear, just like Arjun aiming at the fish’s eye. While the number of medals they bring in the future depends on their hard work and dedication, they are daring to have that dream. I assured all those students that we would provide them with everything they would need in the process.”
Addressing the audience, he said, “I would also request all of you, the sportspersons, present here to get connected to the Sports University and help us make this dream true with your valuable contribution. Eleven sports persons are getting awarded today, I hope we have another 1100 sportspersons getting awarded in the coming years. We are praying for this for the entire nation, not just for Delhi. We have to get medals for the whole nation.”
The Chief Minister concluded the speech by congratulating the awardees and blessing them.
While congratulating the awardees, Sports Minister Atishi said, “We are proud of you and your performance in the Asian Games. India might be divided by language and beliefs, but it is your sport that unites all Indians. When our players represent India at various national and international games, all people are united to cheer for them. When our players win medals, and our tricolor is hoisted high, we are filled with pride. That feeling cannot be described in words.”
She added that when any sports person wins a medal for the country, everyone sees those moments of victory and celebrates it. But in reality, there are many sacrifices and hard work that goes behind that victory. Sportspersons have to dedicate their time in preparation, and their life goes by a dedicated schedule for it. But when they win, every Indian feels proud of them.
Ms. Atishi said, “I would like to thank every sports person present here today, on behalf of all people of India. I am happy to share that, in the past 9 years, the Kejriwal government has brought many schemes to support the sports persons in their preparation and training journey.”
Recently, we also started our Delhi Sports University where students are being provided with international-level training to master their sport. With various other schemes for sports persons and the University like this, our Chief Minister's only focus is on how India can get more and more Olympic medals.
She said, “We have been regularly supporting our players with various schemes such as mission excellence. Now we have also started Delhi Sports University where budding players have been selected from all across India for training in 10 Olympic sports. Today, I assure you that the Kejriwal Government will always support the players whenever they need any kind of support from us.”
*The Kejriwal government has supported athletes immensely: Rohan Kapoor*
Badminton player Rohan Kapoor said that Cm Shri Arvind Kejriwal has supported all athletes a lot. In the past 10 years, the government has made policies and sports stadiums to nurture athletes' talents, which has helped us a lot. I am very grateful to the Kejriwal government for this.
*Today, the credit for the medals we are bringing goes entirely to the Kejriwal government: Rahul Kaush*
Coach Rahul Kaush said that in the last 10 years, the development in education and sports infrastructure has been unprecedented. Today, the credit for the medals brought by Delhi's athletes in international competitions goes entirely to the hard work of the athletes and the Delhi government. If this kind of support continues, Delhi's athletes will bring the most medals in the upcoming Olympics for the country.
*These medal winners were honored by CM Shri Arvind Kejriwal*
Aman, Wrestling 57 Kg (Bronze Medalist)
Aman is an 20 years old distinguished wrestler who has been born & brought up in Delhi. He completed his schooling from Delhi. He joined Chhattarsal stadium in 2014 and under the guddidance of Delhi Wrestling Coaches won Brnoze medal at Asian games 2022 in wrestling under 57 Kg Category.
Major Sports Achievements:-
Khelo India Gold medal in 2019-20.
Gold medal in U-23, Senior Freestyle, World Championship held in Spain 2022.
Gold medal in Senior Asian championship held in Kazakistan-2023.
Tejaswin Shankar, Athletics
Tejaswin Shankar stands as a distinguished Indian athlete, who completed his schooling from Sardar Patel Vidyalaya, New Delhi.He has been training in Delhi under the guidance of his coach Mr Sunil Kumar. He attained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kansas State University(USA) in the year 2022.
Major Sports Achievements :-
Bronze medal at the Asian Athletic Championship in the men’s decathlon discipline in Bangkok.
Men’s high jump bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, held in Birmingham-2022.
Silver medal at the Asian Games-2022 in men’s decathlon held in Hangzhou, China
In light of his unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and consistent success, Tejaswin Shankar exemplifies the epitome of sporting excellence, captivating audiences worldwide with his remarkable feats and indomitable spirit.
Amoj Jacob, Athletics
Amoj Jacob has done his schooling from St.Xavier, Rohini and graduation from SGTB khalsa college (Delhi University).
Major Sports Achievements :-
1. Asian games Gold Medalist-2022
2. Participation in Tokyo Olympic2020
3. Participation in World Athletics Championships held at Hungary in 2023 and created new Asian record in 4*400 mtr relay.
4. Gold medal in Asian Athletics Championships mixed relay held at Bangkok-2023.
5. Silver medal in Asian Athletic Championships mens relay held at Bangkok-2023.
6. U-20 400 mtr National record holder.
7. 400 mtr Indoor National record holder.
Tanvi Khanna, Squash
Tanvi Khanna has done his schooling from Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi and graduation from Columbia University in 2018.
Major Sports Achievements:-
Asian Games silver medalist Jakarta 2018
South Asian games double gold medalist 2019
Asian Games bronze medalist 2022
Highest world ranking of 69
Anahat Singh, Squash
15 year old Anahat Singh, is a student of Grade 10 at the British School Chanakya Puri.
Major Sports Achievements:-
At the age of 14, she was the youngest athlete in the Indian contingent to represent India at the Commonwealth Games Birmingham, UK in 2022.
At the age of 15 years, she was one of the youngest to win 2 bronze medals at the recently conducted Asian games in Hangzhou, China in 2023.
She is the current Senior National squash Champion( youngest in the last 23 years after Joshna Chinappa) and National Champion Girls under 19.
She is the presently under 17 Asian Junior champion.
She became the youngest Indian to have won the prestigious British Junior open squash girls under 11 title in 2019.
She won the Girls under 15 title at the British Junior open in 2023.
She is the only Indian to have won 4 medals i.e. 2 gold and 2 silver at the British Junior championships.
2 bronze medals in recently held Asian Games-2022.
Rajeshwar Tiwari, Bridge
He has done B Tech, from IIT Delhi and M Tech, from IIT Mumbai
Major Sports Achievements:-
3 times quarter finalist in world championships
Gold medalist commonwealth Games-2018 held in Melbourne.
Bronze medalist in Asian games-2018
Bronze medalist in European open
6 Golds in Asia and Middle East championships
Silver medalist in recently concluded Asian games 2022.
Rohan Kapoor, Badminton
He has done his Schooling from Air Force Bal Bharti Lodhi Road New Delhi till 7th class and after that he joined Glendale academy international school Hyderabad from 8-12th class.
He done his graduation from Swami Vivekananda Subharti University
Major Sports Achievements:-
1. Silver medal in Asian games 2022.
2. Gold Medal in Victor Denmark Masters 2023.
3. Silver Medal in Slovenia Yonex open 2023.
4. Gold Medal in Yonex sunrise all India senior ranking badminton tournament 2024 (Jodhpur).
5. Gold Medal in Yonex sunrise all India senior ranking badminton tournament 2024 (Bangalore).
Heeral Sadhu, Roller Skating
He has done his schooling from Hansraj Model School, Delhi and currently Pursuing B. Com (Hons.) from Ramjas College – Delhi University
Major Sports Achievements:-
Representing India in speed skating since 2022.
Clinched 2 silver and 1 bronze in the 36th National Games 2022 in Senior category held in Gujarat.
Bagged Bronze medal in Senior category at the 19th Asian Games 2023 held in Hangzhou, China. It's the First ever historical Medal for Indian Girls in speed skating.
Bagged silver medal in Junior category at the 19th Asian Roller Skating Championship held in Beidaihe ,China.
Finished top 10 in the World Championship 2023 held in Italy.
Pawan Kumar, Kabbaddi
He has done his schooling from Government School, Bawana and graduation has been done from Chandigarh University.
Major Sports Achievements:-
Gold Medal in South Asian Games-2019.
Gold Medal in 66th Senior National Kabaddi Championship.
Gold Medal in 67th Senior National Kabaddi Championship.
Gold Medal in 68th Senior National Kabaddi Championship.
Gold Medal in 69th Senior National Kabaddi Championship.
Gold Medal in 11th Asian Kabaddi Championship-2023.
Deepak Punia, Wrestling
Major Sports Achievements:-
Silver medal in the Senior World Wrestling Championship in Kazakhstan in2019.
Participation in Tokyo Olympic-2020.
Silver medal in Hangzhou (China) Asian Games-2023.
Gold medal in Birmingham Commonwealth Games-2022.
Abhishek Verma, IRS (Arjuna Awardee), Archery
Presently posted as Assistant Commissioner Income Tax Department. He has done his graduation from Delhi University.
Major Sports Achievements:-
Gold and Silver medal in Asian Games 2014.
Gold Medal in 2015, World Cup, Poland.
Gold Medal in 2017, World Cup, China.
1 Gold and 2 Silver medal at Asian Archery Championship-2017, Thailand.
1 Gold and 1 Silver medal at Asian Archery Championship-2019, Thailand
Silver medal in Asian Games 2018.
Gold and Silver medal in Asian Games-2022.
World Ranking-3
Asian Ranking-1.
Indian Ranking-1
*These received awards of this much cash Incentives:*
Abhishek Varma: ₹1.75 crores
Amoj Jacob: ₹1 crore
Pawan Kumar: ₹1 crore
Anahat Singh: ₹1 crore
Rajeshwar Tiwari: ₹75 lakhs
Deepak Puniya: ₹75 lakhs
Tejasvin Shankar: ₹75 lakhs
Rohan Kapoor: ₹75 lakhs
Heeral Sadhu: ₹50 lakhs
Tanvi Khanna: ₹50 lakhs
Aman: ₹50 lakhs
Sunil Kumar: ,₹6 lakhs
Rahul Kaush: ₹6 lakhs
Mukesh Dubas: ₹6 lakhs
*Financial Assistance Schemes of the Delhi Government for facilitation of Coaching and Training facilities for the Budding Sportspersons of Delhi.*
*(a) Cash Incentive Scheme*
The Directorate of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi has a plan scheme titled "Cash Incentive to Outstanding Players/sportspersons". It provides cash incentives to outstanding players, who participate and bring laurels for the country & Delhi in various International, National and State Tournaments. This year we are distributing ₹9.43 Crore to the Asian Games medalist and their coaches.
*Government expenditure on talented athletes so far:*
In 2015-16, the government spent 9.17 crore rupees on 4249 athletes.
In 2016-17, the government spent 9.38 crore rupees on 4134 athletes.
In 2017-18, the government spent 9.36 crore rupees on 3464 athletes.
In 2018-19, the government spent 13.86 crore rupees on 3405 athletes.
In 2019-20, the government spent 9 crore rupees on 3046 athletes.
In 2020-21 and 2021-22, the government spent 10.53 crore rupees on 2400 athletes.
*(b) Play and Progress Scheme*
It is one of the flagship schemes of GNCT of Delhi to provide financial assistance to school sportspersons of Delhi. Under this scheme, ₹2 lakhs - ₹3 lakhs is distributed to the players up to the age of 17 years as financial assistance. Through this scheme, financial assistance is being provided to school students/sportspersons for receiving training and grooming their talents for participation at the highest level of competitions.
*So far, 1,442 athletes under the Play and Progress Scheme:*
In 2018-19, 8.94 crore rupees were spent on 379 athletes.
In 2019-20, 8.04 crore rupees were spent on 328 athletes.
In 2018-19 (monitoring module), 5.71 crore rupees were spent on 217 athletes.
In 2020-21 and 2021-22, 8.78 crore rupees were spent on 521 athletes.
*(c) Mission Excellence Scheme*
Outstanding Sportspersons are given financial assistance up to ₹16 lakhs for achieving excellence at international levels. Through this scheme, financial assistance is provided to top-level sportspersons for receiving training and coaching to prepare themselves to compete in various international tournaments and championships and achieving sporting excellence.
*So far, 394 players have benefited from this scheme:*
In 2018, 9.51 crore rupees were spent on 117 athletes.
In 2019, 4.65 crore rupees were spent on 83 athletes.
In 2018 (monitoring module), 4.40 crore rupees were spent on 60 athletes.
In 2020-21 and 2021-22, 6.66 crore rupees were spent on 134 athletes.