New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged India’s youth to make sports a regular part of their daily lives and spend more time playing outdoor games instead of being glued to smartphones, computers and gaming consoles.
Addressing athletes during the ‘Khelo India Dialogue’ through video conferencing, Modi said sports were increasingly finding a place alongside education and career planning, reflecting growing confidence in India’s sporting future.
He stressed that schools should not treat sports merely as a co-curricular activity but should make them an integral part of students’ everyday lives.
‘Playgrounds more important than PlayStations’
Highlighting the growing use of smartphones, computers and gaming consoles among young people, Modi said, “Sports centres are more important than screens. Playgrounds are more important than PlayStations.”
He said a strong sports culture could develop when young people and educational institutions embraced regular physical activity.
Modi also highlighted the role of sports in developing resilience, competitiveness and a sporting spirit. According to him, sports teach young people not only how to become champions but also how to compete better, deal with setbacks and rise again after failure.
He further said that an athlete’s success benefits not only the individual but also their family, educational institution and society.
“Those who play, flourish,” the Prime Minister said.
