Gangtok: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday pitched sports as the cornerstone of Sikkim’s future, expressing a fervent hope for a “champion to emerge from every village and town in Sikkim.” Addressing the state virtually on its golden jubilee of statehood, the Prime Minister underscored the pivotal role of the newly unveiled sports complex in Gangtok as a fertile ground for budding talent, declaring it would be the “birthplace of champions.”
With India setting its sights on becoming a global sports powerhouse, PM Modi reiterated that Sikkim and the dynamic youth of the Northeast would be instrumental in this transformation. He confidently stated that “India will soon become a sports superpower. Sikkim and the North East youth will play a huge role in fulfilling this dream.”
The Prime Minister lauded Sikkim’s rich sporting legacy, citing luminaries such as football icon Bhaichung Bhutia, Olympian archer Tarundeep Rai, and weightlifter Jaslal Pradhan as testaments to the region’s inherent potential. He further highlighted the central government’s unwavering commitment to youth development through initiatives like Khelo India, which has placed a special emphasis on Sikkim.
Modi voiced his firm conviction that “the energy and passion of Sikkim’s youth will make India reach the Olympic podium.” The new sports complex in Gangtok is poised to become a vibrant hub for training camps, talent identification programmes, and regional competitions, geared towards nurturing national-level athletes.
While sports remained the central theme, PM Modi also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several other significant projects in the state, including a 500-bed district hospital in Namchi, valued at over Rs 750 crore, and a passenger ropeway in Gyalshing. Nevertheless, his address prominently underscored the immense potential of Sikkim’s youth in shaping India’s sporting destiny. The Prime Minister’s remarks align with a broader national strategy to harness the athletic aspirations of rural and remote regions, channelling them into national achievements, beginning with areas like Sikkim that have already showcased remarkable promise.
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