Atishi inaugurates 68th National School Sports

New Delhi : Delhi Chief Minister Atishi inaugurated the 68th National School Sports on Monday, emphasising the role of sports in fostering unity and patriotism and said that sports bring us together and instill a sense of national pride. The Directorate of Education, Sports Branch of Delhi is hosting the 68th National School Sports 2024-25 in 11 different sports. The event has drawn participation from 43 units, including states and Union Territories.

The games are divided into three phases, with the first phase commencing on Monday and set to run over a month. Addressing the event at the Tyagraj Stadium, Atishi recalled the moment when Neeraj Chopra won the Gold medal in javelin throw at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and said, "I don't think there was any Indian whose eyes didn't well up with tears when the national flag was raised and the anthem played.

"Sports is a field that bring all of us together from across the country and fosters unity and patriotism," Atishi added. She said that when she was growing up, she used to wonder why India, despite being so talented, could not win as many medals as smaller countries. It is a question we must address as a nation, she added.

"When I was a teacher at a boarding school, there was a student from a tribal area in Madhya Pradesh. She was small and thin but ran like a rocket. Unfortunately, she could not pursue sports due to the lack of financial support. This is the painful reality for many young sports talents in our country," said Atishi.

Expressing optimism about the young athletes present, She said, "I am confident that many of the children competing here today will go on to win Gold medals at the Olympics." Highlighting the Delhi government's efforts over the past decade, the chief minister expressed pride in the initiatives taken to support aspiring athletes, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.